OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMANDS OF CHRIST

To deny oneself, like all the commands of God, is like a mustard seed, at first bitter and pungent to the nose but, when swallowed, becomes an enjoyable delicacy. For the connoisseurs, they run after it.

If you obey this command of Christ in a shallow manner, it will just be bitter to the taste and pungent to the nose…like all the commands of Christ. But if chewed and swallowed, that is, if fully understood and obeyed, the bitterness disappears and sweetness follows.

If food is merely tasted, it will not nourish the body. But if swallowed, it will nourish the body. So with the commands of Christ, if merely conceived in the mind, it remains as bare knowledge. But if obeyed, the soul will taste the sweetness of the Lord. 

(02-12-04)