How do we know our actions should be motivated by gratitude?

The apostle’s admonitions are primarily motivated by the principle of gratitude toward God for His unmerited grace. This gratitude shapes how we interact with others, leading us to serve not out of obligation but from a heart transformed by God's love. The recognition of our complete dependence on God's mercy reinforces that the only logical response to His grace is one of thankfulness, which subsequently translates into our conduct and interactions with fellow believers and the broader world.