If there’s a gap between the person you are now and the person you want to be, what gets you to change? If you want to be more self-controlled with your words online or your drinking on the weekends or your attitude about work, how do you do it? If you want to let go of your anger toward your dad or be a better role model for your kid or have a you-first marriage that makes your home blessed, how do you do it?

The Bible’s best answer is actually in the Ten Commandments. If you’re a longtime Bible reader, you might assume that the Ten Commandments begin with the First Commandment, but that isn’t true. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2,3). What comes before the First Commandment? The relationship—I am your God. What comes before the life change? Grace—I brought you out. What is the Bible’s #1 way to motivate you? God’s love.

There are many wonderful ways to get fired up for a change—setting goals, accountability, motivational apps, etc.—but the greatest source of change-producing power is grace. Focus on God’s love for you, the love that set you free from the slavery of sin, and you will tap into the greatest motivation of them all.