Fear, Law, and the Motivation of Grace
One of the greatest differences between religion and the gospel of grace is motivation.
Why does a person obey God?
Why does he love others?
Why does he forgive, serve, give, and sacrifice?
Most Christians would answer, “Because we love God.” But if we are honest, many religious systems are ultimately motivated by fear. People are told that if they do not believe correctly, obey faithfully enough, repent sufficiently, or continue in the faith, they may lose everything. Whether the threat is eternal torment, annihilation, or loss of salvation, fear remains the driving force.
The problem is that fear and love cannot occupy the same throne.
Imagine a husband who buys flowers for his wife because someone is holding a gun to his head. He may still buy the flowers, but his motivation is not love. He is acting to save himself. Now imagine another husband who buys flowers simply because he loves his wife and appreciates her. The action is identical, but the motivation is completely different.
This is the problem with any system that teaches salvation depends upon what we do or continue doing. If my future depends upon my performance, then every act of obedience is connected to self-preservation. I may call it devotion, but underneath I am still asking, “What will happen to me if I fail?” The focus remains on saving myself.
True thanksgiving can only exist when the gift is already secure.
A person who believes Christ may abandon him tomorrow cannot rest. A person who believes salvation depends partly upon himself must always keep one eye on his own performance. He is never free from anxiety because his future is uncertain.
Paul presents a completely different message.
Paul teaches that salvation rests entirely upon Christ’s accomplishment. Christ died for our sins, was entombed, and was raised the third day. Salvation is not a reward for good behavior, nor is it maintained by human effort. It is God’s work accomplished through His Son.
This is why Paul constantly reminds believers who they are rather than threatening them with losing salvation. He tells them to walk worthy of their calling, to be kind, forgiving, compassionate, and holy. Yet these exhortations are always built upon what God has already done.
Paul never says, “Behave correctly so God will save you.”
He says, in effect, “God has saved you in Christ. Therefore walk in a manner consistent with that truth.”
This is why Paul writes:
“Grieve not the holy Spirit of God by which you are sealed for the day of deliverance.”
“Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.”
“Be kind one to another.”
These are not threats. They are exhortations flowing from grace. Paul appeals to gratitude, not fear.
Many people think grace encourages sin. Paul teaches the opposite. He says, “Sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace.” Law can force outward behavior for a season, but grace changes the heart. When someone realizes Christ has secured his future, he becomes free to love without self-interest. He no longer serves God because he fears destruction. He serves because he is thankful.
This does not mean failure has no consequences. Poor choices still bring pain, loss, and sorrow. Yet failure does not undo what Christ accomplished. When a person under law fails, he fears condemnation. When a person under grace fails, he learns more deeply the riches of God’s mercy.
Much confusion arises because Christians mix Paul’s gospel with passages concerning entrance into the earthly Kingdom. Jesus often warned Israel that certain behaviors would result in exclusion from the coming Kingdom. Those warnings are real and serious. But many Christians assume these passages are discussing ultimate salvation itself.
As a result, they combine Kingdom warnings with Paul’s gospel of grace and create a message that is neither law nor grace. They tell people salvation is free, but can be lost. They say Christ paid for sin, but that final salvation depends upon continued performance. The result is a life lived in uncertainty.
Paul’s message is different.
He declares that Christ is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers. Believers are privileged to know this now. They are acquainted with a salvation that already belongs to them. Others remain ignorant of it for a time, but Christ’s accomplishment is not limited by human unbelief.
This changes motivation completely.
The believer does not do good in order to be saved. He does good because he has come to understand what Christ has already accomplished. Love, generosity, forgiveness, patience, and service become expressions of thanksgiving rather than attempts to earn favor.
The irony is that grace produces the very behavior that law tries to create. Fear may restrain a person temporarily, but gratitude transforms him. A person who knows he is secure in Christ becomes free to think about others rather than constantly worrying about himself.
Law says, “Do this and live.”
Grace says, “Christ has done it. Therefore live.”
One motivation is rooted in fear and self-preservation. The other is rooted in love and thanksgiving. Only one of them can produce genuine gratitude toward God.
Paul says that “In the grace of God, we behaved oursleves in the world.” Grace is our driving force. Not law. Not human free will. Grace.
Grace!
Saved ignoble 
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