I may have to beg to differ with this particular saint. Sometimes we are just bad, even when we love the one to whom we should obey. Ah, but there comes mercy!
I think it can be a statement against legalism as well as an explanation for those outside of the faith.
If we do something because we love rather than because we were forced, resentment cannot take hold. We also understand that, when it comes to God, He loves us and would never ask us to do something ultimately bad for us (as humans might).
Some don't want to look at becoming a believer because they don't want to follow "rules". Explaining to them that we don't follow "rules" because we have to, but that we do it because we want to, makes a difference, I think.
4 comments:
I may have to beg to differ with this particular saint. Sometimes we are just bad, even when we love the one to whom we should obey. Ah, but there comes mercy!
As I guess i forgot to comment last time,
Too true.
Pat,
I see what you mean. Maybe he should have said that it's easier to obey when we love.
Romans 7:15-8:10 reminds us that even though we battle with our flesh, we gain ultimate victory over it through the power of Christ.
"Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Christ Jesus our Lord!" (vs. 24, 25a)
I think it can be a statement against legalism as well as an explanation for those outside of the faith.
If we do something because we love rather than because we were forced, resentment cannot take hold. We also understand that, when it comes to God, He loves us and would never ask us to do something ultimately bad for us (as humans might).
Some don't want to look at becoming a believer because they don't want to follow "rules". Explaining to them that we don't follow "rules" because we have to, but that we do it because we want to, makes a difference, I think.
Just my two cents worth.
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