The opposite and no less
dangerous error is that belief in Christ releases men from keeping the law of God; that
since by faith alone we become partakers of the grace of Christ, our works have nothing to
do with our redemption.
dangerous error is that belief in Christ releases men from keeping the law of God; that
since by faith alone we become partakers of the grace of Christ, our works have nothing to
do with our redemption.
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,
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,
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