How Hypocrites Obey God

Hypocrites obey God grudgingly and against their will; they do good, but not willingly. Cain brought his sacrifice, but not his heart. It is a true rule that what the heart does not do is not really done. Willingness is the soul of obedience. God sometimes accepts the willingness without the work, but He never accepts the work without the willingness. Cheerfulness shows that there is love in the duty. Love is to our duties what the sun is to fruit – it mellows and ripens them and gives them a better flavor.

Adapted from The Ten Commandments by Thomas Watson