Let's iron out the source of our obedience to God.

Some argue that we should obey without expecting anything from God.

Others argue that there's nothing wrong with our obedience being motivated by the reward God has promised.

Turns out, both of these are wrong. That's why the arguing between the two is endless.

God is only looking for obedience that overflows from the heart. He is neither impressed nor pleased with obligated obedience.

And don't even mention the performance of obedience when your heart is in rebellion, even though your actions appear to be obedient.

This is easy to understand this from a parent's perspective. There's nothing like kids obeying because they want to. Not because they will get a reward, or be disciplined if they don't.

So, we should obey God simply because we want to. At the same time, we should fully expect to receive everything God has promised us, even the things directly connected to obedience.

But our expectation of the reward can't be the source of our obedience.

The source must be a heart that yearns to obey, not to earn something or to be noticed, but simply from an attitude of love and reverence for your Heavenly Father.

In other words, we don't need a reward to obey. But we know we will be rewarded anyway because God made a promise. And He always keeps His promises.