To Be Like Jesus: Obedience Results in Happiness, February 20

 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked ...; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. Psalm 1:1, 2, NRSV. 

It is essential that every subject of the kingdom of God should be obedient to the law of Jehovah, in order that His infinite glory may have a perfect establishment. The professed followers of Christ are tested in this life to see whether or not they will be obedient to God. Obedience will result in happiness, and will insure the reward of eternal life. 

Failure on the part of Adam on one point resulted in terrible consequences, and sin has grown to such vast proportions that it cannot be measured. But in the midst of rebellion and apostasy, in the midst of those who were disloyal, impenitent, and obstinate, God looks down upon those who love Him and keep His commandments, and says, “I love them that love me,” and will cause them to inherit substance. “I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.” 

Christ lived in accordance with the principles of God's moral government, and fulfilled the specifications of the law of God. He represented the beneficence of the law in His human life. The fact that the law is holy, just, and good is to be testified before all nations, tongues, and peoples, to worlds unfallen, to angels, seraphim, and cherubim. The principles of the law of God were wrought out in the character of Jesus Christ, and he who cooperates with Christ, becoming a partaker of the divine nature, will develop the divine character, and become an illustration of the divine law. Christ in the heart will bring the whole person, soul, body, and spirit, into captivity to the obedience of righteousness. Christ's true followers will be in conformity to the mind and will and character of God, and the far-reaching principles of the law will be demonstrated in humanity.... 

Satan had declared that God knew nothing of self-denial, of mercy and love, but that He was stern, exacting, and unforgiving. Satan never tested the forgiving love of God; for he never exercised genuine repentance. His representations of God were incorrect; he was a false witness, an accuser of Christ, and an accuser of all those who throw off the satanic yoke, and come back to render willing allegiance to the God of heaven.—The Review and Herald, March 9, 1897.