How do you choose between doing the right thing or not?

This is a big issue in the church. The Bible teaches us that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and this is a gift. It’s not by our works so no one can boast. In other words, we are free from being under the Law of God and live in the freedom of God’s grace.

This, however, is scary to a lot of people. What will these saints who are also sinners do with this freedom? Will they choose to do the right thing if there is no threat of punishment? In fact, many churches descend into legalism out of fear that without the threat of the Law, people will just sin more and more.

Fear is a terrible motivator
The idea that we can get Christians to live right if we just put the fear of God into them is both wrong and wrong-headed.

• We’re still sinners. It’s wrong because even the greatest saint among us sins daily…a lot. Think of Israel. They lived under the Law and they definitely didn’t perfectly follow that Law, not even close.
• It leads to fear or pride. We all sin. So, when someone is being told to live under the Law, they cope with their sin either by constantly living in fear and defeat (which eventually leads to them quitting) or they minimize their sin and become prideful of how well they are doing (which leads them away from repentance).
• Love is a much better motivator. Which would you describe as the better marriage, one where each person tries to do everything perfectly for their spouse because they are afraid of what their spouse will do if they mess something up or one where each person tries to serve the other with joy because they love their spouse and know they are loved by their spouse?
• The Bible leads with love. The Bible says we are freed from Law and saved by grace.