Fear & Trembling or Casual Compromise?

If someone told a woman it was foolish to try to please her husband because he already loved her, you’d probably roll your eyes. 

But I’ve heard a good number of Christians say it’s foolish to try to please God because He already loves us. 

Our current Christian culture is so afraid of “works salvation” that we’ve thrown the good out with the bad.

The bad: thinking good works save us. They don't. We come to the Lord based solely on His mercy.

The good: we work out our salvation (our continuing walk with the Lord) with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13) and we “find out what pleases the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10).

If a man marries but continues to live like a single man, he’s a bad husband. 

If we come to Christ but continue to live like unsaved people, we’re bad Christians.

Christ says those who love Him obey Him (John 14:23). 

We cannot earn God's mercy and grace.

But we can seek to live lives that are obedient and purposeful. That’s not “works” – it’s love. 
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