This now brings me to the main point of my discourse, obedience to God and its rewards.  As God is infinitely good, and therefore wills nothing beyond the good of his creatures; and as he is infinitely wise to know in what the highest good of his creatures consists, it becomes man’s highest duty and privilege to know what God would have him to do.  But inside of all the externals of obedience there must be a state of heart and mind conformed to God’s will before any works can be done acceptable to him.  What is this state of mind and heart?  It is all expressed in two words,—­love and faith.  Jesus says:  “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”  As much as to say, “Do not act the part of a hypocrite by putting on the form of obedience with no love in the heart.”  He continues the thought by saying:  “He that loveth me will keep my words.”  Obedience, you see, is the proof of love, true obedience, I mean.

Some gravely ask, Which is first in the heart, love or faith? This question is very nearly like that of asking which is most necessary to the growth of plants, heat or moisture?  The truth is plain, that both are necessary; and both together.  Without both together no seed could sprout, no plant put forth its leaves.  Just so it is with the growth of gospel seeds in the soul.  There must be love and faith, both.  But this is very plain and easy to be understood.  No one can believe in Jesus truly without loving him; and no one can love him without at the same time believing on him.  “We love him because he first loved us:”  and faith is but a belief in and joyful acceptance of the words which tell us how he has made known his love for us.  Out of this love and faith true obedience springs.

We must notice one particular in our thought upon this subject.  It is a matter of the deepest interest to every one of us.  I now state it:  Our love and faith grow with our obedience.  What class of children love their parents most and repose the most confidence in them, obedient children or disobedient children?  Obedient children, you all answer.  Why is this?  It is because obedient children receive daily rewards for their good conduct in the expressions of appreciation and love on the part of their parents, brothers, sisters and friends.  Love begets love.  Just so it is with man and God.  The Apostle James puts this thought beautifully:  “If a man be not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”  How will he know this?  By the heart consolations and comforts it brings him.  The Holy Spirit will bear witness with his spirit that he is a child of God.  “God is not slack concerning his promises.”  When he says:  “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people,” do you think he has no way of letting them know they are his people?  Will not a father and mother own the child they love?  How much more our heavenly Father will own and bless his child!