Grace And Obedience
Righteousness and justice, Scripture says, “are the foundation”
Of that holy realm of God, from which He rules creation.
For love knows Law is needed, as, should lawlessness prevail,
Anarchy would rule the day, and God’s government would fail.
God’s Law is what we’re judged by, for though we’re saved by grace,
Grace is not a substitute, for obedience’s rightful place.
God’s love is unconditional, but not so, His salvation,
For it’s here that faith and works, must have a close relation.
There’s always been a standard, that God wants us to uphold,
And that it’s His ‘Commandments’, we, in His Word are told.
Though God knows that only grace, can release us from our plight,
He did not intend His grace, let us off from doing right.
God’s mercy freely given, is not for pardoning sin,
But just repentant sinners, no more wanting sin within.
It wasn’t God’s intention, that His grace should cover sin,
But that through His enabling, victory over sin we’d win.
You see, grace isn’t where it ends, it’s simply the beginning,
As God who hates “lawlessness”, says, don’t willfully keep sinning.
All doing their best to walk rightly, are covered by His grace,
But should they choose to walk wrongly, they’ll simply, grace displace.
Yes, eternal life is promised, on acceptance of God’s gift,
But not responding to His will, is to make this whole thing shift.
God accepts us where we are, but there, gives no excuse to stay,
Hence why it is we’re judged, by the Law He’s said obey.
It clearly states in Scripture, that if His Law’s not obeyed,
We will nullify His grace, and the penalty He paid.
Not because obedience saves, but because it is the fruit,
Showing that His will we do, not just what ourselves will suit.
God wants us to obey Him, not because we’re saved by works,
But because the sincere one, hardly righteous living shirks.
Though our works cannot save us, our hearts true intent they show,
Proven in the fruitage, that comes, as further in Christ we grow.
Though it’s He who us does change, we still have our part to play,
Allowing Him to do His work, within our hearts each day.
As the Holy Spirit changes, those who to their Saviour cling,
Their transformation witnesses, and glory to the Lord will bring.
We’re to do the best we can, the shortfall will be covered,
By the blood shed on the cross, when Christ this world recovered.
But grace is not for playing with, it’s simply the beginning,
For once its been accepted, it’s meant to help keep us from sinning,
The whole object of the cross, was to save and then transform,
But any transformation, needs the saved one to conform.
For God to change us inwardly, He needs our co-operation,
As such growth within our lives, requires, application.
God can’t allow just taking grace, as though that is all we need,
Hence we’re told repeatedly, His Commandments we must heed.
He knows that change is needed, and His Law shows where to start,
Which is why He wants it kept, willingly, within our heart.
(refer to diagram below - you may have to wait for it to appear)
