For Christians who know they are saved by grace and not by works, there is always a fundamental question that arises: Why should I obey God? This question is not about whether Christians should obey God (all agree on that), but about the proper motivation for obeying God. What should drive our sanctification?
Some have answered this question by suggesting that there is only one proper motivation for our obedience, namely our justification. We should look back at the finished work of Christ with gratitude and appreciation, and this will drive us to follow and obey him.
Now, there is much that is commendable about this motivation. Indeed, I would argue that the finished work of Christ, and his great mercy and grace toward us, is the core motivation for our obedience.
But, what is interesting is that the Bible does not offer just this single motivation. God’s word offers a multiplicity of reasons for our obedience that touch different aspects of our life and that motivate us from a variety of angles. In this way, God creates an argument for our obedience that is broader and wider and more difficult for us to escape or ignore.
For this reason, I really appreciate Richard Baxter’s explanation about the various kinds of motivations for our obedience:
This full subjection and obedience [to God] is difficult, but we should not hesitate to use every effort to attain it. How? (1.) Consider God’s government. Should he not rule the creatures he has created?…(2) God is perfectly fit to govern you. His interest is for your good…(3) Consider how unable and unfit you are to govern yourself. We are blind, ignorant, and biased by a corrupt will and turbulent passions…(4) Consider the rewards prepared for obedience and the punishment for disobedience…(5) Consider the joys of full obedience. All is at ease within us…(6) Consider our endless rewards: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’ (A Christian Directory, 1:75-77).
Baxter offers a full-range of reasons for why we obey God, but I particularly appreciate #4, #5, and #6. In these, Baxter gives us future-oriented reasons for obedience. Instead of asking us to look back (as we might expect him to do), he asks us to look forward to the rich blessings that God will provide.
And this motivation has a rich biblical history. Why did Abraham obey? We are told “He went to live in the land of promise…For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations” (Heb 11:9-10). Why did Moses obey? “He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter…for he was looking forward to the reward.”
And, most of all, why did Jesus obey? “Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb 12:2).
If we are looking for motives for obedience, there are many to choose from. But, in the midst of looking back, we should not forget to look forward. Our obedience is not just historically motivated, but eschatologically motivated.
Matt says
Dr. Kruger,
This is an excellent article. I really appreciated reading this because I think it presented the “whole picture” of why we should obey God. Thanks a lot.
Tom Hicks says
Thanks Dr. Kruger! I couldn’t agree more with your post. I am, however, cautious about Baxter, since he rejected justification by faith alone (as articulated by men like John Owen) and favored instead justification on the basis of soft/mild/easy good works (on a governmental model of the atonement in which Christ didn’t actually satisfy God’s justice). When Baxter says we are to be motivated by “punishment,” he means “the threat that God might destroy us.” Everything else here is fantastic and a much needed corrective to the reductionistic views so prevalent today! Thanks for your labors!
Michael Kruger says
Thanks, Tom. Yes, Baxter was a bit mixed up on justification. But, I really don’t think that is a factor in his discussion here. Puritans spoke this way generally about obedience. Moreover, the biblical examples I cited all offered future rewards as the basis of obedience (not that they are the only motivation the Bible offers). So, I wouldn’t dismiss Baxter’s teachings here on the basis of his confusion elsewhere.
Marshall says
Dr. Kruger – would you comment on (or, write a blog entry on) the doctrine of rewards? Or, maybe you have a good book you’d recommend (or an article or blog on the web) on the subject. I think I need a fuller understanding of the truth in Scripture. I can’t help but to find myself thinking about rewards and thinking I’m being selfish when I sense rewards being a motivation for my obedience. Thank you.
Michael Kruger says
Marshall, see my prior post on the issue of rewards: https://michaeljkruger.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=996&action=edit#
Marshall says
Thanks so much!
Marshall says
Actually…I’m having trouble with the link. Any other ways to get to the article?
Michael Kruger says
Just search my website under the term “rewards”
Marshall says
I found the article on why Christians rarely talk about rewards in heaven…thanks for your patience with me, Dr. Kruger. And, thanks for the article.
Brian Wheaton says
In response to this and your last article, one of the reasons I believe Christians do not like to talk about eternal rewards is because its wisdom leads to sacrificial works. Our “American Dream” culture does not like the idea of living sacrificially. We like our theology that excludes eternal ramifications. The common response is, “I’ll be happy if I just get into heaven.” It is interesting how infected we are with the prosperity doctrine that gives us permission to spend God’s blessings inordinately on ourselves.
Augustine William says
Apart from the historical motivation and eschatalogical motivation there is a “present” motivation to obey God. In the letter to Titus Paul is very forceful on what Titus should teach the Church and Paul also gives the reasons: 1. Tit 2:5 -“that the Word of God not be reviled: 2. Tit 2:8 “so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us ” 3. Tit 2:10 ” so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” . God has given us Holy Spirit to sanctify us in this present life, so that our life be a witness to the world of the Gospel of God’s grace. An obedient (Sanctified) life attracts people to the Gospel of Grace a disobedient life repels people from the Gospel of Grace and brings disrepute to the Gospel. For me this is another powerful motivation.
Jay Vanderton says
Hi Dr. Kruger. I know this is off topic but I need to ask you a question. Are we ( mankind ) still under the covenant of works? Does God require perfect, perpetual obedience from us still? Or, was the covenant of works done away with when Adam broke it? Thanks, I cant seem to get a straight answer on this.
Michael Kruger says
Thanks, Jay. The Covenant of Works (CW) indeed is still in force and still applies. On the terms of the CW, everyone in the world stands guilty as covenant breakers. God established the Covenant of Grace (CG) as a way of satisfying the demands of the CW (perfect obedience) through the perfect work of Christ. So, one could say that Christians are “saved by works”–they are just the works of Christ and not our own. We need to talk more about the CW in the church because it helps us understand exactly why Christ’s death and obedience were so critical. In effect, Christ keep the CW for us.
Jay Vanderton says
Thank you for the response Dr. Kruger. If the CW is still in effect couldn’t someone say that there are two ways of salvation? Also to my understanding of the Westminster Confession God made the CW with Adam only, the curse was passed to us but not the requirements (so to speak) Sorry for my ignorance I’m grappling with republication currently.
Michael Kruger says
No, the CW was made with Adam and all he represents. And that is the big key. Romans 5 makes it clear that all of humanity falls under either the first Adam or the second Adam. So, the requirements of the CW (perfect obedience) apply to all of humanity because all of humanity is represented by Adam. So, in a sense, there are two ways of salvation. But, that is not the whole story. Perfect law-keeping option is now a futile option due to original sin. So, in that sense, there is only one way of salvation for fallen sinners.
michaelm says
‘ For by grace are you saved through faith and not of yourselves it is a gift of God ……….. ‘ I’ve been a bit concerned with this idea of a dual way for Christ to save us . They say that He ‘kept the Law for us ‘ and also gave His life , shed His blood for us . Paul says , By the works of the Law , no flesh shall be justified . Does not that include Adam even if Adam had kept the Law ie not ate of the fruit . ?. Without faith it is impossible to please God . Did Adams disobedience showed he did not believe God .?. Even for Adam , ‘By grace are you saved through faith ‘ ? middletownbiblechurch.org/reformed/vicarlaw.htm discusses this in great detail . Did Christ keep the Law for us Gentiles and then die on the Cross . It says , the righteous died for the unrighteous to bring us to God . I don’t read He kept the Law vicariouslt for us to bring us to God ? thank you Dr Kruger .