“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15

We are coming up on two months since adopting our puppy, Sebastian. He is such a sweet little dog, but like most puppies, he hasn’t quite learned the art of listening yet. Fortunately, is extremely motivated by food. In fact, he will often run into his crate, unprompted, in the hopes that we might reward him with a treat. This makes it fairly easy to “trick” him into obedience.

Sometimes I can see the correlation in my own walk with Christ. I may do the things I know I should, going through daily motions, because I know I may get a reward for doing so.

As believers in Christ, we shouldn’t have to be forced or tricked into doing what’s right. In fact, obedience can be drained of its significance if we obey only out of obligation or duty. Our desire should be to do what is pleasing to our Lord because we love Him. Jesus said, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” (John 14:21). We should “make it our goal to please Him” (2 Cor. 5:9).

Let’s do what’s right out of a heart of gratitude for His grace to us.