Further Thought: “If our hearts are renewed in the likeness of God, if
the divine love is implanted in the soul, will not the law of God be carried
out in the life? When the principle of love is implanted in the heart, when
man is renewed after the image of Him that created him, the new-covenant
promise is fulfilled, ‘I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds
will I write them.’ Hebrews 10:16. And if the law is written in the heart, will
it not shape the life? Obedience—the service and allegiance of love—is the
true sign of discipleship. Thus the Scripture says, ‘This is the love of God,
that we keep His commandments.’ ‘He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth
not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.’ 1 John 5:3; 2:4.
Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes
us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience. . . .
“The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in
your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections
will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature. This is
evidence that Satan’s delusions have lost their power; that the vivifying
influence of the Spirit of God is arousing you.
“No deep-seated love for Jesus can dwell in the heart that does not
realize its own sinfulness. The soul that is transformed by the grace of
Christ will admire His divine character; but if we do not see our own
moral deformity, it is unmistakable evidence that we have not had a
view of the beauty and excellence of Christ.”—Ellen G. White, Steps
to Christ, pp. 60, 64, 65.
Discussion Questions:
 Think about the statements of Ellen G. White above. What
does the fact that the closer we come to Christ the more sinful we
will appear in our own eyes tell us about how we must not let the
realization of our own defects cause us to give up faith in despair?
 Dwell more on the idea that the law is being written in our
hearts. What does that mean for the spiritual life of a Christian?
How could understanding and experiencing this truth help us
avoid the kind of “obedience” that is really only legalism, obedi­
ence that has been called “dead works” (Heb. 9:14)?