To understand the power and appreciate the beauty of obedience, we should consider what one person’s seemingly small act of disobedience cost God.
Adam was perfect in every respect. In character he was like the Creator, and he was very happy with all that had been given to him. There was only one small prohibition, which neither overshadowed life in Paradise nor made the young couple unhappy. Adam and his wife were not planning a rebellion against God; such a thought had never even entered their minds. But temptation came, and they did not withstand it. The first human beings disobeyed, thereby opening the way for sin to enter our world.
If they had not sinned, the Universe would have continued to live by its familiar laws. God’s Son would have remained that same Eternal God Whom everyone knew. Satan and his army would have been isolated from the entire world. To the sorrow of all the inhabitants of Heaven, his allies would have devoured and destroyed one another. And no one would have understood what sin produces on a universal scale.
Perhaps the fallen angels would already have died through suicide, strife, and various diseases.
But through the disobedience of one deceived man, something very strange happened. The Eternal God offered Himself as a Sacrifice for the sins of His creation. No one expected such a turn of events. It was simply unthinkable. God would become Man in order to die for the sins of the world! Even Satan and his accomplices were deeply shocked and frightened, for he understood that this plan posed a terrible threat to him. Nor did the enemy of souls himself realize where his rebellion would lead him. All his schemes continually collapsed, and he sank lower and lower, realizing that there was no way back.
But the essence of sin is that, while perishing yourself, you drag everything within reach into the same abyss. Even one minute before his eternal death, Satan will be glad to seize or destroy someone else, if he has the opportunity. Such is the nature of lawlessness.
But God’s Son set Himself against all this evil and boldly entered the arena of conflict. He chose to become Man and place His life at risk in order to reveal God’s character to humanity through this act, provide an example of absolute obedience in human nature, assume full responsibility for the sins that had been committed, and die in the place of human beings with the very death that the sinner deserves, so that He might give those who believe in Him the Eternal life that the Son deserves. This plan went into effect and was fulfilled, and it is still being carried out in our lives. It has not yet been fully completed. The final point will be placed when sin, death, and the originator of all calamity are utterly destroyed.
I obey. This is not merely my decision; it is God’s plan for my life. God expects from me not partial obedience but complete and absolute obedience in every area of His law and of my life. This is impossible without agape love in the heart.
When my daughter was little, it was not difficult for me to make her obey, even against her will. She understood that her father was right and loved her. Even when she did not want to obey but submitted to my authority, she afterward saw that life was better that way and was glad that she had obeyed. The lives of children who submit to God-fearing parents are built upon happiness and lay a firm foundation for the overall direction of their lives. Such people find it easier to obey God’s requirements.
It is very difficult for me to say the same about myself. I see that in my corruptible nature I am a sinner with an impaired mind. Yet by God’s mercy and grace, and because of my desire to change, the Most High has taught me eternal truths, redeemed me from the power of sin, clothed me with the righteousness of Christ, and appointed me as His witness in this world. Through my life, I am to show others what God does with those who choose Him, believe in Christ, and obey the light they have received.
In order to make me a different person and give me the Gift of Eternal life, Jesus had to pass through unimaginable trials and humiliation and surrender His pure life for my terrible sins. Through the travail of His soul, He gave me an opportunity to change for the better and a beautiful future. And God’s plan is working. It began to be fulfilled when I expressed my desire to accept it and took my stand beneath its banner.
Christ gave me an example of obedience to the Father’s will. His life, and the record of His actions and words, touch my heart so powerfully and reveal God’s love for humanity so deeply that with all my soul I long to be like Him in obedience, faith, love, wisdom, and joy. Jesus teaches people happiness while Himself being a happy Man and God. He sees that the travail of His soul was not in vain, and He will always look upon us with satisfaction. His love will become an Eternal seal upon our faces and in our hearts. Even now, He is teaching us to become like Himself—precisely like Himself—because He is part of me, lives in me, and enables me to live in Him. This is the great mystery of godliness: Christ in us. When this is present, everything else is added as that which naturally accompanies this union. But all of it must be learned.
God expects my willing obedience from a pure heart. He does not need discipline motivated by fear or enforced ‘with a stick.’ He desires to see loving children who, out of love for Him and for people, are ready to carry out every assignment carefully and wisely, obey all of God’s requirements, and heed all of God’s counsel. His requirements and counsel are not burdensome; by their very nature, they are full of wisdom.
I know from my own experience how sin entices, and how pleasant it seems at first, especially when everyone lives that way. But God hates sin and gives His light, desiring everyone to understand that the wages of sin is death and that there is no hope of escaping it without repentance. And repentance is God’s Gift.
When the Lord began drawing me to Himself and revealing the plan of my Salvation, I understood what God was offering me. Yet in my foolishness I decided, ‘For now I will continue sinning, because I enjoy it; later I will repent, change, and become obedient.’ I continually postponed taking that step. But God caught me and confronted me with a choice here and now. I understood that I had to make this decision immediately. I began to repent of my sins and asked Jesus to become the Lord of my life. Then something amazing happened. I suddenly began to hate sin—and I hated it immediately—understanding that it was an abomination I would never commit again. My former life became repulsive to me. I hated myself for having lived that way. It was not difficult at all for me to part with my sins. Jesus became so beautiful and fascinating to me that I read about Him from morning until evening, understanding that He was my Savior. I began to understand the Bible and found it so captivating and wise that I could not put it down. I chose obedience because I had come to love my Savior, and I gladly heeded all His counsel and instruction. The Lord taught me, and He continues to teach me to this day. I find such a life deeply engaging and beautiful. I live at peace with God and commune with Him within my own heart. I do not always understand everything, but faith helps me accept what is unseen and wait for its fulfillment.
And when I earnestly asked the Lord for love, my entire Christian life became rich, delightful, and deeply engaging. In the light of His love, everything fell into its proper place.
Bible verses for this chapter:
1 Timothy 3:16; Philippians 2:6–13; Colossians 1:24–29; Romans 5:12–17; Hebrews 5:8–10; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Hebrews 10:7–10; Psalm 40:8; 143:10; Ephesians 5:17–18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7; Romans 12:1–3