But notice here that obedience is not a mere outward compliance, but the service
of love. The law of God is an expression of His very nature; it is an embodiment of the
great principle of love, and hence is the foundation of His government in heaven and
earth. If our hearts are renewed in the likeness of God, if the divine love is implanted in
the soul, will not the law of God be carried out in the life? When the principle of love is
implanted in the heart, when man is renewed after the image of Him that created him,
the new-covenant promise is fulfilled, "I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their
minds will I write them." Hebrews 10:16. And if the law is written in the heart, will it not
shape the life? Obedience--the service and allegiance of love--is the true sign of
discipleship. Thus the Scripture says, "This is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments." "He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a
liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 5:3; 2:4. Instead of releasing man from
obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience.
We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to
be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith. "Ye know that He was manifested
to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not:
whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him." 1 John 3:5, 6. Here is the
true test. If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in us, our feelings, our thoughts,
our purposes, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God as expressed in the
precepts of His holy law. "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth
righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous." 1 John 3:7. Righteousness is
defined by the standard of God's holy law, as expressed in the ten precepts given on
Sina
KY reading on "steps to christ" by Ellen G White in 1892 sell over 60 mil copies
of love. The law of God is an expression of His very nature; it is an embodiment of the
great principle of love, and hence is the foundation of His government in heaven and
earth. If our hearts are renewed in the likeness of God, if the divine love is implanted in
the soul, will not the law of God be carried out in the life? When the principle of love is
implanted in the heart, when man is renewed after the image of Him that created him,
the new-covenant promise is fulfilled, "I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their
minds will I write them." Hebrews 10:16. And if the law is written in the heart, will it not
shape the life? Obedience--the service and allegiance of love--is the true sign of
discipleship. Thus the Scripture says, "This is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments." "He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a
liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 5:3; 2:4. Instead of releasing man from
obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience.
We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to
be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith. "Ye know that He was manifested
to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not:
whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him." 1 John 3:5, 6. Here is the
true test. If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in us, our feelings, our thoughts,
our purposes, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God as expressed in the
precepts of His holy law. "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth
righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous." 1 John 3:7. Righteousness is
defined by the standard of God's holy law, as expressed in the ten precepts given on
Sina
KY reading on "steps to christ" by Ellen G White in 1892 sell over 60 mil copies
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