Rule 18.

On how and with what disposition he fulfills God's commandment

Striving for this fulfillment

Chapter 1. The commandments of God must be fulfilled in such a way as the Lord commanded. For whoever sins in the manner of action, although he apparently fulfills the commandment, nevertheless has no praise from God.

(Luke 14:12-14): "And he said also to him who called Him, 'When you make dinner or supper, do not call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your relatives, nor your rich neighbors, lest they also call you, and you will not receive recompense.' But when you make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed that they cannot repay you, for you will be rewarded in the resurrection of the righteous."

Chapter 2. God's commandment should be fulfilled not out of pleasing people, and not out of any other passion, but with the goal of pleasing God and glorifying God in everything.

(Matthew 6:1-2): "Take heed that you do not your alms before men, that they may see you: otherwise you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Therefore, when you give alms, do not trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that people may glorify them. Verily I say unto you, they have already received their reward," and so on.

(1 Corinthians 10:31): "Whether you eat, drink, or anything else you do, do all to the glory of God."

(1 Thessalonians 2:4-6): "But just as God has vouchsafed us to entrust us with the gospel, so we speak, pleasing not men, but God, who searches our hearts. For we have never had before you words of caresses, as you know, nor forms of gain: God is witness! We do not seek human glory either from you or from others."

Chapter 3. The commandments of the Lord must be fulfilled with a good conscience and with a good disposition, coming to God and before people. For whoever does not do so is condemned.

(Matthew 23:25-26): "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, while inside they are full of theft and unrighteousness. Blind Pharisee! first cleanse the inside of the cup and the dish, so that their outside will also be clean."