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Steps to Jesus
for these. The first, which has already been explained, is the mistake
of trusting our good works to bring ourselves to God. If we try
to become holy by obeying the law in our own strength, we will
find it impossible. Everything we do without Christ is spoiled by
selfishness and sin. Only the grace of Christ, through faith, can make
us holy.
The second mistake is just as dangerous. It is the idea that we do
not need to keep the law of God when we believe in Christ. Since
the grace of God is received through faith alone, some people think
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that what they do has nothing to do with their redemption.
The Bible teaches that obedience is more than just doing right. It
is more than doing what we are told to do. Obedience is the service
of love. God’s law shows us what He is like. Love is the very center
of the law. God’s government in heaven and on earth is built on His
law of love.
Will not the law of God be carried out in our lives if we are like
Him? When love is in our hearts and when we become like our
Creator, God keeps His promise: “I will put my laws in their hearts
and write them on their minds.”
Hebrews 10:16
.
If the law is written in the heart, will it not shape the life? Obe-
dience is a true sign of love. It also is the sign that we are followers
of God. The Bible says, “Our love for God means that we obey
his commands.” “If we say that we know him, but do not obey his
commands, we are liars and there is no truth in us.”
1 John 5:3
;
2:4
. Faith does not excuse us from obeying the law. Through faith,
and faith alone, we share the grace of Christ. And grace makes it
possible for us to obey His law.
We do not earn salvation by obeying God’s law. Salvation is
God’s free gift, and we receive it by faith. But obedience is the fruit
of faith. “You know that Christ appeared in order to take away sins,
and that there is no sin in him. So everyone who lives in union with
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Christ does not continue to sin; but whoever continues to sin has
never seen him or known him.”
1 John 3:5, 6
. This is the true test.
When we live in Christ and His love lives in us, our feelings
and our thoughts will agree with what His holy law shows us God
wants us to do. “Let no one deceive you, my children! Whoever
does what is right is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.”
verse 7
.