Navigating the Dangers of Gratitude as a Motive for Obedience

Gratitude as a Dangerous Motive for Obedience

Have you ever been told that you should be obedient to God out of gratitude for all that He has done for you? It's a common notion, but it might not be the most accurate or effective motivation for obedience. In fact, gratitude can be a dangerous motive when it comes to our relationship with God.

When we think of gratitude, we often think of being thankful for what someone has done for us. And indeed, we should be grateful for all that God has done for us. He has given us the gift of salvation, the forgiveness of our sins, and eternal life with Him. But when it comes to obedience, gratitude can lead us down a dangerous path.

One problem with gratitude as a motive for obedience is that it frames our relationship with God in debtor's terms. We start to think that we owe God something in return for all that He has done for us. We feel indebted to Him and believe that we need to repay Him. But the truth is, we can never repay God for His grace. Romans 11:35–36 reminds us, “‘Who has given a gift to [God] that he might be repaid?’ [Answer: Nobody!] For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever.” Everything we have is already from God, so we can't pay Him back with anything that is truly ours.

Even if we could somehow repay God for His grace, it would turn grace into a business transaction. If we try to pay Him back, it means that His grace was not truly a gift. Imagine someone inviting you over for dinner as a special favor, and then you respond by saying that you'll have them over next week to repay them. That would nullify their grace and turn it into a trade. God doesn't want His grace to be nullified, He wants it to be glorified (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14).

Another problem with gratitude as a motive for obedience is that it overlooks the importance of having faith in God's future grace. Gratitude looks back at what God has already done for us and feels thankful. But faith looks forward to the grace that God has promised to give us in the future. It is the assurance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1).

Faith in future grace is the motive for obedience that preserves the gracious quality of our obedience. Obedience is not about paying God back, but about trusting Him for more grace. It's about believing in His promise to always be with us (Joshua 1:9) and venturing out in obedience to take hold of the promises He has for us.

Think of it this way: if someone gives you a gift, like a new car, you can respond in two different ways. You can feel grateful for the car and say thank you to the person who gave it to you. But that gratitude doesn't mean you have to repay them for the car. Instead, you can use the car to go out and do the things they want you to do. You can use it to run errands, help others, and spread joy. In the same way, our obedience to God is not about paying Him back for His grace, but about using the gifts He has given us to do His will and bring Him glory.

So how do we cultivate this kind of faith in future grace? How do we move away from a mindset of gratitude as a dangerous motive for obedience? The key is to focus on God's promises and trust in His faithfulness. The Bible is filled with promises that God has made to His people, and these promises are meant to give us hope and assurance for the future.

For example, in Isaiah 41:10, God promises, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." When we face challenges or difficulties, we can trust in this promise and have faith that God will provide us with the strength and help we need.

Another promise that we can hold onto is found in Philippians 4:19, which says, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." This promise reminds us that God is our provider and that He will meet all of our needs. When we trust in this promise, we can have faith that God will provide for us in every area of our lives.

These are just a few examples of the many promises that God has made to His people. When we focus on these promises and trust in God's faithfulness, we can have confidence in His future grace. We can believe that He will continue to pour out His love and blessings upon us, and this belief will motivate us to obey Him out of faith, not just gratitude.

In conclusion, gratitude can be a dangerous motive when it comes to our obedience to God. It can lead us to think that we need to pay Him back for His grace and turn His grace into a trade. Instead, we should focus on having faith in God's future grace. We should trust in His promises, believe in His faithfulness, and allow these beliefs to motivate us to obey Him. Let us not just be grateful for what God has done for us in the past, but let us also have faith in what He will do for us in the future.