Article October 13, 1917 Issue

Obedience

Rev. James J. Rome

When we remember that every mortal is a creature of education and that the influence of environment and association is largely responsible for the formation of his character, it is very evident that his manner of living is simply the result of his obedience to that particular condition of thought by which he has been surrounded. No matter how much a man may think he is independent, self-made, and free from external influences, he is not, until he gains freedom in the truth.

While the responsibility for one's earlier experiences may rest on others, every one must and does inevitably arrive at a period known as the age of accountability or responsibility, when his own choice must be made as to the path he will follow,—a time when the appeal of Joshua to the people of Israel is applicable to him individually: "Choose you this day whom ye will serve." Whatever line of thought he decides upon and pursues will soon be apparent by the effect produced in his life. The words of Paul to the Romans are therefore of universal application: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Hence the question constantly faces each individual, Whom or what am I obeying?

Obedience does not necessarily imply a sense of servility or subjection to another's thought. Being obliged to follow the commands of another would imply personal domination. The original word obey used in the above passage does not imply compulsion, for it means to hearken or listen submissively. Now it is very evident that we cannot be giving heed to two opposite things at the same time. If we are listening to error we are disregardful of and consequently disobedient to Truth; if we are admitting the wrong we are denying the right, and if we are obeying the material or mortal sense we are disobedient to the spiritual; hence Jesus' saying, "No man can serve two masters." Yet every moment we are obeying one of these opposing thoughts.

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