Why is Obedience Important?

For a Christian, Christ is the most important person in our lives. Some branches of Christianity emphasize behavior, obedience to God's commandments, and submission to His will, but other branches deny that God's commandments are of any importance to us. For Latter-Day Saints, commandments are important. But why?

Is it because we think we need to do enough to get into heaven? No.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God," (Ephesians 2:8). "We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do," (2 Nephi 25:23). 

Is it because we're scared of an angry God? No. 

"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us," (Romans 5:8). He died to save us while we were still sinning. That proves His love for us. 

So why is obedience so important? Why do we keep God's commandments?

Why do I keep God's commandments?

I keep God's commandments, because when Jesus said "All who believe will have eternal life," He didn't just mean believe that He existed and was God's son, or a prophet, or a teacher - though He was all of those things. 

Believing in Christ means believing what He said. 

It's believing He said we are loved infinitely, more than we could ever imagine. 

It's believing He said He is preparing a place for us. 

It's believing He said "repent." 

It's believing that repentance means "turning around," a change of heart. 

It's believing that atonement means "harmony," and that Christ's atonement gives us the ability to be in harmony with God. 

It's believing that He said "I love you."

It's believing that Jesus said "If ye love me, keep my commandments." 

It's believing that God gives commandments to us for our benefit. 

It's believing that He said "I love you."

It's believing that He said "Follow me." 

It's believing that His invitation asks us to love like Him and live like Him. 

It's believing that He said "Forsake all you have," and "He who loses his life for my sake will find it."

It's believing that He said "I love you."

It's believing that He came to save us from our sins, not just in our sins. 

It's believing that sin exists. 

It's believing evil exists. 

It's believing that God has given commandments (for without His commandments, there would be no good and no sin). 

It's believing that He said "I love you."

It's believing that we cannot live a perfect life on our own. 

It's believing that He can and did pay the price for our wrongs, so that we can have more chances to choose right. 

It's believing that He said "You are mine."

It's believing that He said "I love you."

It's believing that His commandments help us grow into better people. 

It's believing that He said we are of infinite worth and infinite potential. 

It's believing that He said "I love you."

This is the biblical, Old Testament Jehovah.
This is the biblical, New Testament Jesus of Nazareth.
This is the Book of Mormon Jesus Christ, "who shall come to redeem His people."
This is the Doctrine and Covenants Only Begotten Son, Lord of all.

This is my Savior, my Jesus Christ. This is who I follow. This is the mentor and hero after whom I am trying to model my life.

(All images from Media Library on lds.org)