Overview
In the heart renewed by Divine grace, love is the principle of action and:
- Modifies the character and governs the impulses.
- Controls the passions and ennobles the affections.
It is the Spirit of God working upon the human heart. Those who become new creatures in Christ Jesus will bring forth the fruits of the Spirit.
The loveliness of the character of Christ will be seen in His followers. Love to God through faith and zeal for His glory will be their lives’ controlling power.
Thus obedience is not a mere outward compliance, but the service of love.
Stay in the know
The Spirit’s power, which no human eye can see
The Spirit of God works upon the heart that begets a new life in the soul. It creates a new being in the image of God.
While we must not trust to our good work, our lives will
reveal whether the grace of God is dwelling within us.
A change will be seen in character, habits and pursuits. And the most importantly, if we are Christ’s, all that we have and are is consecrated to Him.
Thus we are longing to:
- Bear His image and breathe His spirit.
- Do His will and please Him in all things.
Those who become new creatures in Christ Jesus will bring forth the fruits of the Spirit:
Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Galatians 5:22, 23.
Thus they will seek not the outward adorning, but
The hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. 1 Peter 3:3, 4.
Bookmark this page in your browser
Let’s stay connected
His love makes us loving
Love is of God. It is found only in the heart where Jesus reigns.
For example: We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19.
When the principle of love is implanted in the heart 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 the life is shaped when the law is written in the heart.
The Scripture says:
This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.
He that saith, I know Him, and keeps not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 5:3; 2:4.
The soul that is transformed by the grace of Christ will admire His Divine character. Additionally, will see one’s moral imperfection.
The faith that works by love and purifies the soul
It is different from believing the facts about the existence and power of God and the truth of His Word. It is so, because even Satan believes that.
For example:
Thou believes that there is one God; thou does well: the devils also believe, and tremble. James 2:19.
But this is not the living and saving faith. It is not only a belief in God’s word needed, but also a submission of one’s will to Him.
For instance;
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:20.
Thus through this faith the heart is renewed in the image of God. And the believer now delights in God’s holy precepts.
O how love I thy law, it is my meditation all the day. Psalm 119:97.
You are to maintain the abiding connection with Christ by faith. Thus He will work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13.
So you may say:
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. Galatians 2:20.
Get access to the full content
Obedience as service of love and fruit of faith
Firstly, all that one can do without Christ is polluted with selfishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ alone, through faith, that can
make one holy.
Secondly, if the law is written in the heart it will shape the life?
We do not earn salvation by our obedience. For salvation is the free gift of God received by faith.
But obedience is the fruit of faith. For example:
Ye know that He (Jesus) was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him is no sin.
Whosoever abides in him sins not; whosoever sins, has not seen Him, neither known Him. 1 John 3:5, 6.
This is the true test of discipleship. If the love of God dwells in us, will be in harmony with the will of God as expressed in the precepts of His holy Law.
For instance:
Little children, let no man deceive you.
He that does righteousness is righteous, even as He (Jesus) 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 Sinai.
References:
Find out more
- Download and listen to this chapter.
- Download the entire book Steps To Christ.
- Explore and download more from our selection here.
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section.
- What resonated with you most in this article, and why?
- Do you understand God’s will through the relationship between His grace and His moral Law? Share more about it.
- What is the key lesson for you about obedience in the era of the new covenant of grace we are living in today?
- Reach out if you need more information on this topic.
Related content
Jesus identifies as the Good Shepherd, embodying love, authority, and sacrifice for the sheep.
The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. I know my sheep, and they know Me.
There shall be one fold and one shepherd. All who hear the voice of the shepherd will be saved.
Leave a Reply