Keeping the Law Out of Gratitude in Christianity
Keeping the Law Out of Gratitude in Christianity
The concept of keeping the law out of gratitude is rooted in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Galatians 2:21, Paul states, "I don’t make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!" [1]. This verse highlights the tension between relying on the law for righteousness and the grace offered through Jesus Christ.
According to Paul, the law is not the primary motivator for Christian behavior. Instead, gratitude for the grace received through Christ should drive believers to fulfill the law. In Galatians 5:14, Paul writes that "the whole law can be summed up... in the statement, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" [4]. This love is not a legalistic requirement but a natural response to the love and grace received from God.
The idea of gratitude as a motivator is further emphasized in Romans 7:25, where Paul expresses his thankfulness to God through Jesus Christ, stating, "I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God’s law, but with the flesh, the sin’s law" [2]. This verse illustrates the internal conflict between serving God's law and succumbing to sin, with gratitude being a key factor in serving God's law.
In Christian tradition, ingratitude is considered a characteristic of the wicked [3]. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists ingratitude as a trait of the unfaithful, citing examples from the Bible, such as Laban and Saul. In contrast, gratitude is seen as a hallmark of Christian character, motivating believers to live a life pleasing to God.
The concept of keeping the law out of gratitude is closely tied to the idea of Christian liberty. According to John Gill, Christian liberty is not a license to sin but rather the freedom to serve God without being bound by the law as a covenant of works [7]. In 1 Corinthians 10:29, Paul asks, "For if I by grace be a partaker... why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?" [6]. This verse highlights the importance of gratitude in exercising Christian liberty.
The relationship between gratitude and the law is also explored in the context of the "law of Christ." In Galatians 6:2, Paul writes that believers fulfill the law of Christ by "carrying each other's burdens" [5]. This law is not a set of rules but rather a principle of love and service, which is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Sources
- Galatians “I don’t make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!” -- Galatians 2:21”
- Romans “I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God’s law, but with the flesh, the sin’s law. -- Romans 7:25”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ingratitude — A characteristic of the wicked -- Ps 38:20; 2Ti 3:2. Often exhibited By relations. -- Job 19:14. By servants. -- Job 19:15,16. To benefactors. -- Ps 109:5; Ec 9:15. To friends in distress. -- Ps 38:11. Saints should avoid the guilt of -- Ps 7:4,5. Should be met with Prayers. -- Ps 35:12,13; 109:4. Faithfulness. -- Ge 31:38-42. Persevering love. -- 2Co 12:15. Punishment of -- Pr 17:13; Jer 18:20,21. Exemplified Laban. -- Ge 31:6,7. Chief butler. -- Ge 40:23. Israel. -- Ex 17:4. Men of Keilah. -- 1Sa 23:5,12. Saul. -- 1Sa 24:17. Nabal. -- 1Sa 25:5-11,21. ”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 5:14: 5:14 the whole law can be summed up (or the whole law is fulfilled): Christ’s followers fulfill the law by exercising love toward every neighbor (Lev 19:18; see Matt 7:12; Luke 6:27-36; 10:25-37; John 13:34-35; 15:9-17; Rom 13:8-10).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 6:2: 6:2 Carrying each other’s burdens (6:1) fulfills the law of Christ to love one another (5:13-14; see also Lev 19:18; Matt 22:36-40; John 13:34; 15:12; 1 Jn 3:23).”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 10:29: For if I by grace be a partaker,.... Either of Christian liberty, through the grace of God; or of the creatures God has given men to eat of through his goodness, and which are enjoyed by the saints with thankfulness: why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? that is, why should I expose myself to evil tongues, the blasphemies and reproaches of men, by eating things of this kind, under this circumstance, when there are so many creatures I can use without offence, and be thankful for? or why should my liberty be reproached through an imprudent ”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 7:6: But now we are delivered from the law,.... From the ministration of it, by Moses; from it, as a covenant of works; from its rigorous exaction; from its curse and condemnation, all this by Christ; and from its being an irritating, provoking law to sin, through the corruption of nature, by the Spirit and grace of Christ; but not from obedience to it, as in the hands of Christ. The Vulgate Latin version, and some copies read, "from the law of death"; and the Ethiopic version renders it, "we are loosed from the law, and are delivered from the former doctrine"; the doctrine”