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  LOVE-INSPIRED OBEDIENCE
  by Hugh Black
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Summary: Love can transform our obedience to law, making it easy and
natural, when we see it as the fruit of God's tender love.

Topics: "Obedience To God", "Love And Grace"
Scripture References: Psalm 119:32, Psalm 119:47, John 14:15, 1 John 4:19, 1 John 5:3

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DESCRIPTION
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Hugh Black emphasizes the transformative power of love in obedience to
God's commandments, highlighting how love makes obedience a joy rather
than a burden. He explains that when we view God's law as an expression
of His love for us, obedience becomes natural and sweet, contrasting
obedience out of fear with obedience out of love. Black underscores the
importance of developing a personal relationship with God, where we
become co-workers with Him in shaping our moral character and fulfilling
His will.

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CONTENT
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"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God"

(Acts 16:25).

What can turn the statutes into songs, take the sting out of the
commandments, make the will of God a delight? When it is all
transfigured by the glory of love. Love inspires obedience to law, and
makes it easy. If we see law not as something external, an obligation
imposed on us from without, a despotism against which we cannot rebel,
and to which we can only sullenly submit; if we see law as the law of
our own life, the fruit of the tenderest and highest love, the
commandments are seen not to be grievous, and obedience becomes sweet
and natural. We know the difference between obedience dictated by fear
and obedience dictated by love. When we are brought into a personal
relation to God and enter into fellowship with Him, we realise that even
in the making of our own moral life, in the creating of our own
character, we are fellow-workers with God. We desire the same end as He
does, and it is the best end.

The love of Christ is the great instrument of sanctification; for it
breeds in us a passion to do God's will and keep His commandments. 'Ye
are complete in Him,' says St. Paul. He fills out our incompleteness,
and for the first time we feel that we are truly ourselves, and for the
first time really possess our souls, and are in harmony with the great
end of our existence. When our heart is enlarged we can run in the way
of God's commandments. Life breaks out into music and light.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/hugh-black/love-inspired-obedience/
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