Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

of God: it differs widely from all that is earthly and sensual. The Holy
Ghost comes with it; by his energy it is diffused and pervades every part;
and by his light we discover what it is, and know the state of grace in
which we stand. Thus we are furnished to every good word and work;
have produced in us the mind that was in Christ; are enabled to obey the
pure law of our God in its spiritual sense, by loving him with all our
heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbour, every son of man, as
ourselves. This is, or ought to be, the common experience of every
believer.
The love of Christ is opposed to our enmity, and by it our hatred to
God and goodness is overcome. Love counteracts the whole carnal mind,
draws out the heart in affectionate attachment to God, and is the incentive
to all obedience, as being the fulfilling of the law. Such a person is not
obliged to derive the principle of his obedience from any thing outward:
the moral law is before his eyes; but the love of God, shed abroad in his
heart, is the principle by which he obeys it. He performs nothing merely
as a duty; he has the law of God written in his heart, and this ever
disposes him to do what is right in the sight of his Judge. If it were not
even infallibly true that a life of sin must terminate in endless misery, yet
he would abhor the way of the wicked. He has tried the path of
disobedience, and found it the road to ruin: he now knows the way of
righteousness, and finds it the path of peace and happiness. Satan, the
enslaver of the world, he found to be a hard task master, during the long
period in which he laboured under chains, in the house of his bondage.
God, the Saviour of the world, he finds to be a beneficent Father, and his
service perfect freedom. He delights in obedience; it is the element in
which his soul lives, prospers, and is happy.
Love is properly the image of God in the soul; for "God is love." By
faith we receive from our Maker; by hope we expect a future and eternal
good; but by love we resemble God; and by it alone are we qualified to
enjoy heaven, and be one with him throughout eternity. Faith and hope
respect ourselves alone; love takes in both God and man. Faith helps, and
hope sustains us; but love to God and man makes us obedient and useful.