The thought of the duties and obligations which flow from the love of God and man helps the Christian: (1) to form a right conscience, (2) to always choose what is right, (3) to avoid sin and the occasions of sins, and (4) to live in this world according to the Spirit of Christ, for the love of God.

1.The thought of the duties and obligations which flow from the love of God and man helps the Christian to form a right conscience.

In order to sanctify our actions, we must see to it that they are inspired by supernatural love, or charity. This love should rule and guide us in all our actions, so that our whole life may be directed to God. Supernatural love comes to us from God. It is the splendid privilege of His children of adoption. As St. Paul has said, we should make charity “the root and foundation of our life” (cf. Ephesians 3:17). “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).

Our conscience tells us whether an action is right or wrong and whether it is a mortal or venial sin. Conscience is our mind’s judge on moral matters, but it must be instructed. We must learn from Christ, Who teaches us through His Church. Only with the guidance of the Holy Spirit can we consistently form a right conscience.

2. The thought of the duties and obligations which flow from the love of God and man helps the Christian to always choose what is right.

We need the light and strength of actual grace to always choose what is right and then to do it. Therefore we should pray each day to the Holy Spirit, asking for His guidance and help.

3. The thought of the duties and obligations which flow from the love of God and man helps the Christian to avoid sin and the occasions of sin.

In order to avoid sin and the occasions of sin, we need the help of the Holy Spirit. Since the world about us, the devil, and our own inclinations to sin are powerful in the face of our human weaknesses, we must put our confidence in the even greater power of God’s grace. Recall the words of St. Paul, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20).

4. The thought of the duties and obligations which flow from the love of God and man helps the Christian to live in this world according to the Spirit of Christ, for the love of God.

The great commandment of love requires that we act toward God as His children and toward our fellow men as their brothers and sisters, as children of the same Father. Our duties toward God and our neighbor are made known to us especially in the Ten Commandments. If we love God, we will keep the first three commandments; they tell us about our duties toward God. If we love our neighbor and ourselves, we will keep the other seven commandments which tell us of our duties toward our neighbors and ourselves.

The Ten Commandments (reflecting the natural law written in our hearts), flow from our very nature as human beings (cf. Romans 2:13–15). Since we were created by God and depend on Him completely, we must, as intelligent responsible beings, acknowledge that dependence. We should praise God, love Him, believe and trust Him, and show reverence for His Name. Because each human person has fundamental dignity and rights which He receives from God, we must respect those rights.

In studying the commandments, we learn about the laws which tell us how we, as human beings, must behave toward God and toward our fellow man. More importantly, we, as children of God, learn about the laws which will help us to fulfill the great law of love. We will then live in this world according to the Spirit of Christ, for the love of God.