Dave Chanski
Do you have a hard time trying to figure out how it can be that a Christian cannot be saved by works, but that he still must keep God’s commandments? Part of the problem is our sinful flesh. We all have enough remaining sin that we would make perfect Pharisees. That is, if we are going to be required to do something, we want to receive credit for it. When we are told that we are saved by grace, that means we get no credit for what we ourselves do. So when we hear that we must obey God, we say, “No we don’t have to—we’re saved by grace!” I mean, who wants to do something for nothing, anyways?
If a Christian takes God’s commandments seriously and strives to keep them, how does he avoid the notion that he is earning his salvation and avoid the trap of falling into a works-righteousness? First of all, a true Christian is someone whom God has taught that he cannot save himself. So he has given up the religion of the Pharisee and now confesses that all my “righteousnesses are like filthy rags”. He trusts in Christ alone to save him. Secondly, even when he does obey, he does it out of thanksgiving to God for His having saved him. As Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). The Christian has a strong desire to show his love to the one who saved him, and Jesus tells him the best way to show that love: keep His commandments. There is no thought of earning anything or of obtaining merit, only of pleasing the Savior.
Furthermore, the Christian is conscious that the strength in which he obeys God and keeps His commandments does not come from himself—it is God’s own power which enables him. As the apostle said, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). Even the desire to do God’s will comes ultimately from God and not from us! This is how the Christian can strive with all his heart and soul and strength and mind to obey his Lord and not be guilty of legalism. May none of us be guilty of taking credit for our obedience on the one hand, or of resenting and neglecting God’s commands on the other.