“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.”
Ephesians 2:4-9, 13-16 ESV
Never do just for the sake of doing.
Never serve simply from obligation.
Remember first the love that has been shown to you I’m Christ and then live accordingly.
Obligation creates hostility.
In Christ, the love that we experience in grace, creates a desire to serve based in that same love and out of thanksgiving. Again, the person who has been forgiven much loves much and the one forgiven little loves little.
When we try to maintain a personal piety outside of Christ, we feel as though we justify ourselves, even though no justification has taken place. When we compromise on sin and convince ourselves that what we do really isn’t that bad, we refuse the love that has been shown us by refusing grace and the purging of sin that repentance brings. And in turn, we love little.
But come face to face with the horror of your sin, and stand amazed at the grace of God, nothing being withheld, and see what love really is as Christ brings forgiveness beyond measure.
Then take that love and GoLove someone else in His Name.