Counsel of Spiritual Life

Counsel #3 — Obedience As Response To Grace

Picture: Counsel #3 — Obedience As Response To Grace CSL 53.1

True obedience to God comes only as a response to the love — the grace we receive from Jesus’ infinite sacrifice for us as demonstrated on the cross at Calvary, not from a sense of obligation or duty. If obedience is a burden, our hearts have not been converted by the Spirit of God. We obey out of love for God, and love for His holy law.^[53] CSL 53.2

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15 NKJV CSL 53.3

“The man who attempts to keep the commandments of God from a sense of obligation merely—because he is required to do so—will never enter into the joy of obedience. He does not obey. When the requirements of God are accounted a burden because they cut across human inclination, we may know that the life is not a Christian life. True obedience is the outworking of a principle within. It springs from the love of righteousness, the love of the law of God. The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our Redeemer. This will lead us to do right because it is right—because right doing is pleasing to God.” Ellen White in Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 97 CSL 53.4

Reflect: How can you make certain your obedience to God is given gladly from your heart, not from a sense of obligation? CSL 53.5