"God 'loveth the one that turneth towards Him'. (293) But the belief
alone has no power to bring salvation. That demands responsive action,
for the greater the effort, the more faithfully will man 'reflect the
glory of the names and attributes of God' (294) The relationship
between God and man is expressed in the verse: 'Love Me, that I may
love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee.'
(295)...God's intention of the salvation of man is complemented by the
duty of man to obey God's will as manifested in the Law. 'The essence
of religion is to testify unto that which the Lord hath revealed, and
follow that which He hath ordained in His mighty Book.' (297) ... From
the Law man discovers what he owes God. And only in striving to fulfil
the Law does he come into the right relationship with God..."
"...But the Law is not satisfied by being literally fulfilled, by a
mere external legality; it demands to be carried out from inner
devotion: 'Walk in my statutes for love of me'. (319) Merely carrying
out the Law offers no claim to God's grace, because the fulfilment of
any law needs God's acceptance: 'Nothing whatsoever shall, in this
Day, be accepted from you, though ye continue to worship and prostrate
yourselves before God...For all things are dependent upon His Will,
and the worth of all acts is conditioned upon His acceptance and
pleasure'(320)..."
I have left out a great deal to keep this short; anyone who wants to
follow his whole argument will have to get the book.
regards,
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Louis G Robinson e-mail: C/O nsaguadeloupe@usbnc.org
101 Les Ilets
Petit Paris
97100 Basse Terre
Guadeloupe, French West Indies