Grace is unmerited favor from God. We cannot merit or earn any blessings. We are sinners. Everyone is under the death penalty. All of our blessings, especially our salvation, is through God’s grace. Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV), “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God”. “… A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law.” Romans 3:28. 

The Law Covenant does not apply to the Christian. Jesus nailed the Law to the cross. (See Colossians 2:14.)  However, we are under the God’s Law of Love which includes the moral concepts of the Jewish law. Immoral behavior by a Christian is not permitted by the Law of Love.   Romans 13:10 (NKJV), “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

Is obedience part of a Christian’s walk? If we are to be obedient, what should we obey? We are always to walk in love and fulfill our covenant by sacrifice through our love for God. Psalm 50:5 (NIV), “Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV), “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

It is our human wills and lives that we sacrifice to do ONLY God’s will. So, what do Christians obey? God’s will. This means putting spiritual services and activities first in our lives. The New Testament is full of instructions about what we should be doing. We study the Bible, pray, preach the gospel, love our enemies, we do good to all – especially the household of faith; we develop the fruit of the Spirit. We do these things even when people oppose us. And many times, we suffer for our choices. 

As Jesus said, “…If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” Matthew 16:24 (NKJV).

We do not pursue earthly things like riches, social status, earthly power or popularity. The great Apostle Paul wrote, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV).

Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1019: “Is Mercy Compatible with Justice?”
Unlocking the power of just actions seasoned with a merciful hand
Preview video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

Episode #1264: “What Does God’s Grace Do For Us?”
Defining, applying and profoundly appreciating the grace of God
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes