Christian Obedience

If we are not careful as Christians it can be easy to fall into the pagan idea that we obey God in order to receive blessing, and act rightly to avoid punishment. But that sort of obedience has nothing of Christianity in it. That kind of obedience has little power for transformation and can quickly turn from joyful affection to grudging resentment; because it is all about us.  But God has another basis for our obedience in mind that moves the focus and the motive off of ourselves; His faithfulness and His glory… and that changes everything behind how and why we can joyfully obey.