References and Responses: Part 6: Biblical Motivations for Godly Living

Over the summer of 2025, Free Grace Women invited our readers to contribute responses to common questions and concerns about the Bible. In this series—References and Responses—we’ve been gathering those reflections and placing them alongside Scripture, allowing the Word of God to frame our understanding. So far, we’ve addressed several theological questions and objections related to Free Grace theology. In Part 6, we turn to a practical and often misunderstood question:

What are some Biblical motivations for godly living?

Many within Christendom see the motivation for godly living as limited to love or appreciation of the Lord. Even worse, it has become popular to “encourage” Christians to live a godly life by using the un-Biblical threat that a bad lifestyle will lead to a believer ending up in the Lake of Fire. However, the Bible offers a myriad of motivations for godly living. This blog will offer a few examples of such motivations. Since eternal life is a free gift received by faith alone (Eph 2:8-9), what moves a believer toward obedience? The responses below reflect the thoughtful answers submitted by our readers, followed by key Scriptures that illuminate those motivations.

K.W.

Fear of the consequences of sin here and at the Judgment Seat of Christ
For the benefit of others
Gratitude

Scripture:

Fear of consequences and future evaluation:
2 Corinthians 5:10 — “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…”
Galatians 6:7 — “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
For the benefit of others:
1 Peter 2:12 — “…having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that…they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God…”
Gratitude:
Psalm 116:12–14 “What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD, now in the presence of all His people.” (NKJV)
2 Corinthians 5:14–15 — “For the love of Christ compels us…”

K.E.

Fear of loss of fellowship with Him
Loss of blessings in this life

Scripture:

Fellowship and manifestation of Christ:
John 14:21 — “…I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
Temporal discipline and blessing:
1 Corinthians 11:30–32 — “For this reason many are weak and sick among you…”

M.L.

There are different motivations for living a godly life:

Gratitude to God
Psalm 116:12–14 — “What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?…”
2 Corinthians 5:14–15 “…He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” (NKJV)
Inheriting the Kingdom (in a ruling sense)
1 Corinthians 6:9–10 — “Do you not know that the righteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?…”
Receiving rewards
1 Corinthians 3:11–15 — “Now if anyone builds…each one’s work will become clear…If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.”
Avoiding God’s corrective discipline
1 Corinthians 11:30–32 — “…But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.”
Avoiding the natural consequences of sin
Galatians 6:7 — “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked…”
James 1:14–15 — “…when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”
Having communion with God, the highest good
John 14:21 — “He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father…”
Giving a good testimony to the world
1 Peter 2:12 — “…that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

Together, these responses remind us that Scripture presents multiple motivations for godly living. None of them threatens the permanence of eternal life. Instead, they call believers to live in light of gratitude, accountability, fellowship, future reward, and love for others.

References and Responses: Part 1: License to Sin?

References and Responses: Part 2: What Does the Bible Teach About Rewards?

References & Responses: Part 3: How Are the Words “Salvation,” “Save,” and “Saved” Used in the Bible?

References and Responses: Part 4: Bible Passages for Suffering

References and Responses: Part 5: Looking Forward to the Coming Kingdom