diligence

It is wonderfully true what Paul writes. We are no longer under the law, but grace thanks to Christ's death on the cross. There is nothing we can do to earn God's love and favor. We have all of it in Christ. However, Paul also warns us not to view the grace of God as a security blanket in which we can sin all we want without any fear of the consequences. God's grace should actually do the opposite. We should be drawn to flee from sin in loving response for all that God has done for us. Grace motivates us to obey through a heart of thanksgiving.

Therefore obedience remains a vital sign of one who follows after Christ. No one can declare their love of Him, and then proceed to indulge in all the sins He has clearly told us to abstain from. It doesn't mean we don't slip and fall for the sin nature remains in us until the day we meet Him face to face. It does mean we aren't swan diving into sin or letting it reign over us.

Whenever God spoke to His people He reminded them of the commandments they were expected to follow. He knew the importance of them, which is why He repeatedly told them what He expected. Israel's continual falling away was a direct result of not listening to His words. This is why called emphasized the work it takes to obey.

You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you. ~Deuteronomy 6:17 (emphasis mine)

Obedience it not passive. It is an active exercise of the will. We can't expect to remain standing by occasionally reminding ourselves of God's standards or flirting with our sins. We need diligence. We need to pursue His Word our firm foundation. We need to daily choose following Him. We need to pray for the strength keep walking. We need to pray for diligence.