Obedience

If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine.

Exodus 19:5.

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” (1 John 5:3). “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him,” (chap. 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.

The so-called faith in Christ which professes to release men from the obligation or obedience to God is not faith, but presumption. “By grace are ye saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). But “faith, if it hath not works, is dead” (James 2:17).

The more our sense of need drives us to Him and to the Word of God, the more exalted views we shall have of His character, and the more fully we shall reflect His image.

Steps to Christ, 60-65.