J.C. Ryle: The True Church Loves to Please Christ

"If we love a person, we like to please him.  We are glad to consult his tastes and opinions, to act upon his advice and do the things which he approves.  We even deny ourselves to meet his wishes, abstain from things which we know he dislikes and learn things to which we are not naturally inclined, because we think it will give him pleasure.  Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ!  The true Christian studies to please Him, by being holy both in body and spirit.  Show him anything in his daily practice that Christ hates, and he will give it up.  Show him anything that Christ delights in, and he will follow after it.  He does not murmur at Christ's requirements as being too strict and severe, as the children of the world do.  To him Christ's commandments are not grievous, and Christ's burden is light.  And why is all this?  Simply because he loves Him" (JC Ryle, Holiness).