I have a hard time staying still when music is playing. There’s often a toe tapping, maybe a head bob, and if I’m really into it, there will be some full-body swaying. It doesn’t matter the kind of music either, from my kids’ favorite VeggieTales songs to my husband’s classic rock, I’ll be bopping along to the beat. I’m not a dancer - nor will I ever be - but I just feel compelled to move; that’s how I respond to music.

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Let’s pivot for a minute and look at how we’re supposed to respond to the grace of Jesus. At a surface level, someone might argue that the grace of Jesus covers all sins and so it doesn’t matter if we sin or not, it is a spiritual “Get Out of Jail Free” card. After all, Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “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” (emphasis mine).  

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But you only need to dig a little deeper to realize that this idea of coasting on the grace of Jesus for the rest of our lives isn’t how we’re supposed to live at all. It is absolutely true that we can’t do anything to earn our salvation, but how we respond to our salvation is a different story. In John 14:15, Jesus himself says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Obedience to Christ is an indication of a genuine love for him. True faith changes your nature, and a lifestyle of ongoing, unrepentant sin contradicts a life transformed by Christ.  

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For example, if you say that you are the biggest basketball fan but you don’t know any of the rules, you don’t know any of the players, and you don’t watch any of the games or play basketball yourself, I’m going to doubt the authenticity of your claim. If you say you love Jesus but always have excuses to skip church, aren’t serving in any capacity, and don’t live like you love Jesus, I’m going to doubt you as well.

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1 John 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” I love that last part - his commandments are not burdensome! Jesus talks about this when he says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30). This doesn’t mean that following Jesus is always easy, but we have freedom from the crushing legalistic burden of trying - impossibly - to earn salvation by good works.  

I heard recently that our lives should be a "hymn of thanksgiving” in response to what Jesus did on the cross for us. When we truly grasp the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice, our automatic reaction changes from obligation to adoration. Just like I naturally respond to a catchy rhythm, a heart transformed by grace naturally responds with a life of praise and thanksgiving. I’m reminded of this beautiful hymn by Fanny Crosby: ‍

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Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of his Spirit, washed in His blood. ‍

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This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long.