Obedience

Are there not many of God*s children who seem to be afraid of looking at the obeying side of the Christian life? The very word obedience suggests to them the thought of bondage and legality. And yet nothing is clearer than that obedience is one of the highest privileges of the Gospel dispensation. The law shows us that it is a right thing, but it is only in Christ ‘* we find it to be a joyous thing to obey, because it is only in Him we find the power for obedience.

The question is not, Does God expect of me a life of “good works “? No enlightened soul can doubt for a moment the importance and necessity of the fruits of righteousness,” of practical obedience, in the daily walk. But the question is, How is this obedience to become possible? — how may conformity to the will of God become a free and joyous reality?

There are many sincere souls — earnest believers in Christ, who are seeking the true answer to this all-important question. To quote the words of a well-known, and much honoured Evangelical teacher: — “There are other labourers besides those who are seeking for pardon — for justification before God. There are labourers a/ier sanctification — ohv personal holiness — after riddance of the power of the old Adam; and to such, as well as to those who are seeking after salvation, Christ gives this great invitation; to such He promises, with this great “I will” (Matt. xi. 28-30). It is highly possible for a man, after having found justifying rest in Christ, to enter upon a state of deep need as regards sanctifying rest. We think we shall not go far wrong if we say that this has been the experience of almost every believer that has ever lived.** *

Rev. Philip Bennef Power -” TA^ I Wills of Christy p. 20.

There are many who have good desires; who thoroughly hate the evil under which they so continually fall, and who love the good they are striving to attain. But how to perform the good that they would they find not. That they are converted souls is clear, for they delight in the law of God after the inward man. Now, it is to such we would very earnestly say. Come to the written word of God. Let no man hinder you from a candid and prayerful consideration of the subject. Ask yourself, Does my Heavenly Father set before me a path of obedience along which the Spirit and power of Christ cannot lead me? Is the provision made for me in Christ for practical holiness, insufficient to meet the power of indwelling sin? These are vital questions. Let us not shrink from answering them by the word of God itself. If there is a better life — a truer, freer and holier life for you, than you have yet known, let no consideration keep you from its actual realisation. Tremendous responsibility rests (Sbetrtmce. 75

upon those who by their influence and writings are discouraging you from seeking it. But remember you are no more justified in making this an excuse, than the Children of Israel were justified in saying, “Our brethren have discouraged our heart” (Deut. i. 28), as a plea for their disobedience and unbelief.

If we ask What is the character of that life for which we have been redeemed at such an infinite cost? let the Scriptures give the answer. St. Paul tells us we are created in Christ Jesus unto good toorks, which God hath before ordained’* (prepared) “that we should walk in them “(Eph. ii. 10). St. Peter tells us we are Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit smto obedience^’* &c. (i Pet. i. 2). St. John tells us, “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous *’ (i John V. 3).

Here, then, we see the Divine purpose of y6 .iSbttiitntt.

our regeneration. The same inspired Word that reveals to us the Divine zai/I as the path of obedience, declares also that there is for us the Divine fozaer as the means of obedience. Let us not separate these two. things.

Now the essence of all true obedience is the submission of the will to God. It is more than good. words — or sound views — or devout feelings — or even right actions. It is the surrender of the whole heart to God, and an implicit dependence upon Him for all that He has promised. Not one act once for all — but an attitude maintained day by day. The outcome of this heart-submission, and simple trust in Him, will be the spontaneous conformity of the life in good works, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

It is remarkable that the Apostle uses the same word in Phil. ii. 12, “tvork out your own salvation’*; and in Eph. vi. 13, “having done all to stand,” that he uses in Rom. vii. 18, but how to perform that which is good I

find not.” Things not possible of accomplishment yr/w himself — even as a converted and renewed soul — were possible in and from Christ. “Our sufficiency is of (from) God “(2 Cor. iii. 5). “I can do all things in Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. iv. 13).