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OBEDIENCE

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 15, 1876

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 24.

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OBEDIENCE

By THOS. J. CROSS.

OBEDIENCE when correctly considered signifies conformity to law and compliance with it. This presupposes a lawgiver, one whose right and prerogative it is to command, and such is the great Creator of heaven and earth. Do we need any labored arguments in proof of this self-evident fact—“The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork”?
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” It is this testimony that leads to Christ, the great sin-atoning Sacrifice. We acknowledge that the Constitution of the United States has claims upon us, and confess our obligation to yield obedience to it, unless it comes in conflict with the higher law. We then turn to the law of God written by the divine finger upon tables of stone, under the most solemn circumstances, and amid scenes of surpassing grandeur. We confess that that law is holy, just and good, that it is spiritual, eternal and unchangeable. Obedience to every precept of that divine code is enjoined, and each precept must remain in full force so long as man is a subject of law.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Again, “If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well.” Where, then, is the opposition to this perfect law of liberty that is holy, just and good? It is in the carnal mind that is enmity to this law, not being subject to it. Of what indignity is the professed teacher in Israel guilty who can call that law, written by the divine finger, an old, antiquated, musty code—a yoke of bondage, etc.
Perfect obedience is due to the great Lawgiver, the Sovereign of Heaven and earth. There would be no difficulty nor contention were it not for the seventh-day Sabbath, the Sabbath of the Lord our God; to get rid of this, and to justify their observance of another day, and for another purpose, violence must be done to the plainest and most unequivocal teachings of inspiration. But the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep his commandments.
THOS. J. CROSS.