Editorial September 9, 1922 Issue

Freedom Through Obedience

Albert F. Gilmore

The common tendency of the human mind is to oppose restraint. The thought of restriction, of submitting self-will to another power or will, even though it be that of God, engenders lively opposition on the part of the carnal mind, which often finds expression in anger and resentment. Analysis of the situation reveals that the basic difficulty lies in the belief that the mortal selfhood is something; that it is a reality or entity, and must be recognized and catered to in order to establish its identity. This attitude is disobedient, rebellious, and, given rein, leads to grave difficulties, even to final disaster.

The Bible is replete with examples of calamity following disobedience to the will of God; yet mankind has gone its heedless way, preferring apparently to exercise what it calls its own sweet will, even though such course should result in distress and failure. Paul stated to the Romans the results of his disobedience briefly and to the point; he also made clear the way of escape,—"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous;" that is, through the unparalleled obedience of Christ Jesus to divine law he became the Exemplar for all mankind.

The larger sense of freedom, which is the common desire, is never gained by disobedience, even in a human sense. The familiar example of traffic regulations conveys an excellent lesson. One of the most congested streets in the world, probably, is Fifth Avenue, New York city; yet, by the use of signal towers at suitable intervals, the traffic north and south is so related with that moving east and west that, by strict obedience to the regulations, travel is carried on with rapidity and little inconvenience. Here, by subordinating the will of the individual to the general rule, freedom in movement, even for the individual, is greatly enhanced.

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