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need is “love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). We must be right inwardly before we can be right outwardly as Christ so stressed (Matthew 23:26). Our works must flow out of love (Romans 13:8-10). If we are not energised by love (Galatians 5:6) we shall be doing things for self-righteous reasons and our works will not be acceptable to God (see Genesis 4). Consider also 1 John 3:11, 23; 4:7/8; 5:2.

It should be noted that we are called to pursue principles: “righteousness, faith, love, peace” (2 Timothy 2:22) and not a set of rules. These latter apply to the child state (Galatians 4:1

The matter considered above is a large and important one. Those who continue in sin clearly lack in the knowledge of God (1 Samuel 2:12, 1 Corinthians 15:34). We need to maintain the fear of God as well as appreciating his love. In a way it is like the carrot and the stick. To go right we need the carrot, but if we are going wrong we may need the stick.

October 2005