Love is the grand secret of true obedience to God. When we feel towards Him as children feel towards a dear father, we shall delight to do His will. We shall not find His commandments grievous, and work for Him like slaves under fear of the lash. We shall take pleasure in trying to keep His laws, and mourn when we transgress them. None work so well as those who work out of love. The fear of punishment, or the desire of reward, are principles of far less power. They do the will of God best, who do it from the heart.~ J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Matthew, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1986], 293

Whenever we call God the Creator of heaven and earth, let
us at the same time reflect, that the dispensation of all those
things which he has made is in his own power, and that we are
his children, whom he has received into his charge and custody,
to be supported and educated; so that we may expect every
blessing from him alone, and cherish a certain hope that he
will never suffer us to want those things which are necessary
to our well-being, that our hope may depend on no other; that,
whatever we need or desire, our prayers may be directed to him,
and that, from whatever quarter we receive any advantage, we
may acknowledge it to be his benefit, and confess it with
thanksgiving; that, being allured with such great sweetness of
goodness and beneficence, we may study to love and worship him
with all our hearts.- John Calvin (1509-1564), The Institutes of the Christian Religion, v. I [1559], tr. John Allen,Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work, 1921, I.xiv.22, p. 170