Obedience by E. R. Dewey

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 28, 1872

Obedience.

By E. R. Dewey

“God’s first command is obedience; man’s first duty is to obey.”

That God required strict obedience from his chosen people to all his commands, must be apparent to every student of the Bible. He required this, not only as his right as Maker and Ruler of all things, but for their own good, and to keep them in remembrance of their dependence upon a superior being.

In the history given us of the children of Israel, we can see his love and care for them when they obeyed him, and the fearful punishments which he sent upon them when they disregarded his voice. He did not leave them in ignorance of his will, but, through their leaders, communicated with them, reminded them of his goodness and care of them in the past, renewing his promise of blessings in the future, if they would walk in the path commanded, and also presenting before them the consequences of disobedience.

In the record we have of his dealings with the children of men, we see how faithfully he kept his promises to those who were obedient, and how long-suffering he was with those who were slow to obey; and though they provoked him to anger by turning from his precepts, yet when they were humbled by affliction, and returned, earnestly seeking his face again, how ready he was to pardon, and grant them the blessings promised the obedient. And is not God the same to-day that he always has been? Does he not still require obedience from those who profess to be his children? He answers this in Mal. 3: 6: “I am the Lord; I change not.”

Christian obedience is willing. “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” Isa. 1: 19. We should not only obey because we feel it to be duty, but we should delight to do his will. We know, from our own experience, how much more pleasing it is to us to have those over whom we have control for a season render cheerful, willing obedience, than to oblige them, through fear of punishment, to obey our just requirements; to have them obey through love, rather than fear. It seems to me that God must love those who obey him heartily and willingly, and because they love him and wish to show their gratitude to him, more than he does those who obey reluctantly and because they fear the consequences of disobedience; perhaps he may accept such obedience, but shall we receive the blessing for it that we should for willing obedience? How can we refuse to render cheerful submission to all his requirements when he is continually showing his love to us by bestowing upon us every blessing we need? Perhaps we sometimes think that we would be willing to sacrifice all that we have, if, by so doing, we could obtain the blessing of the Lord. But “to obey is better than sacrifice;” the same as to say that obedience is the beginning of all acceptable worship.

Christian obedience is progressive. “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov. 4: 18. We cannot in a moment break up old habits of sin, and walk firmly in the path of truth and righteousness. For an illustration, look at the infant when first learning to walk. His first steps are tremblingly taken. He may stumble and fall. Does he give up for that? No; he keeps trying. His failures make him more cautious. He makes it his every-day business to learn to walk till at last he can walk firmly, without support; and then he feels himself almost a man.

Just so must the Christian make it his first and every-day business to learn to walk in the path of obedience; and though he may stumble and be well nigh discouraged, yet he must keep trying, relying firmly upon One who is mighty to save, until he can walk uprightly a new man in Christ Jesus.

Obedience is also a test of discipleship. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Love is the great incentive to obedience. We are to keep every command, not obey a part and throw away a part. His statutes are like a hedge about our path; if we will but keep in the path, we shall be kept from harm.

Obedience may not always be easy; but we can make it easier by contemplation of Christ. He is our example of perfect obedience; for “being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2: 8, 9. Yes; he learned “obedience by the things which he suffered;” and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. We shall be purified by obeying the truth: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;” “the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” Let our prayer be that of the psalmist, “Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments.”

E. R. DEWEY.