We “have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood” 1 Peter 1:2a (NRSV). According to this verse we have been set apart (sanctified) by the Spirit for the purpose of obedience. The obedience to Jesus Christ exceeds keeping a legal code. Rather, it is the obedience of love. If God is a God of Love then the Spirit is the Spirit of Love. He is Love living inside of us to enable love (Rom 5:5), expressed by obedience to the Great Commandment.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” Mark 12:30-31 NRSV).
