Galatians 2:20-21:   I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

A lump of coal is turned into a radiant diamond.  A person dead in sin is “crucified with Christ”.  Yet out of the death of crucifixion a new creature is created; a creature with a new focus for his life.  His self-centeredness has passed away.  He still lives; yet this person so fundamentally remade that he is not the original person.  Christ is not only the new center of his life; Christ is living in him!

This new creature lives life through faith in the Son of God who demonstrated His love for him by being his atoning sacrifice.  This new creature cannot refuse this undeserved love which has transformed him.  He cannot deny the significance of Christ’s sacrifice.  If he believed righteousness comes from obedience to God’s Commands he would frustrate the grace (the undeserved love) Christ showered on him.  Such a belief would deny the work of Christ that enabled God to remake him.  If imperfect obedience can make a person righteous, then “Christ is dead in vain”.

Yet he will strive to keep God’s Commands.  But it is not because he is focused on 'Self'.   It is not because he is focused on gaining Exaltation for himself.   He will strive to keep God’s Commands because of his focus on Christ.   It is because of his faith placed in what Christ did for him out of grace.   It is undeserved love that remade him.   It is the recognition of this undeserved love which drives his new focus to live for Christ:

1 Corinthians 15:10: But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.