Should Christians be obedient people? If we who believe the Gospel would consider this question, we would see the absurdity in even asking it. Should we who are sinners, undeserving of the least of God's favor and blessings, in ourselves deserving of nothing but damnation, should we who have been freely forgiven and blessed above all people with the abundance of eternal life and blessedness, should we who are certain to be glorified in Heaven, and all this based on the blood and righteousness of Christ, should we be obedient to the One who spared not His own Son, who freely gives us all things according to His promise? The answer is obvious!
We ought to be the most obedient people on earth! We ought to be the most diligent worshippers, the best givers, the most diligent prayers, a people zealous of good works. We ought to be the most grateful people on earth, ready to express our thankfulness in deeds towards God and our brethren. We ought to be the most compassionate people on earth, seeking the temporal and eternal well-being of our neighbors. We ought to be the most considerate people on earth, thinking on the things of others rather than ourselves. We ought to be the most dogmatic people on earth never speaking peace to sinners who are either ignorant of or not submitted to the righteousness of Christ our Savior.
We have the greatest motive for obedience, and the only acceptable motive for obedience – the absolute certainty of salvation and final glory based on the righteousness of Christ. When we were in false religion, most of us were very diligent in trying to establish a righteousness of our own, producing fruit unto death. It is to our shame if we are not even more diligent now that we are justified and can bring forth fruit unto God!