God redeems before He enjoins; and only the redeemed can truly keep His commandments. He delivered His people from Egypt "that they might observe His statutes, and keep His laws." (Psalm 105:45)
We do not get life by keeping the commandments, but God gives us life in order that we may keep them.--Present Truth, April 11, 1901--Original title: Back Page--Psalm 105:45.