From the beginning to the end of the sacred writings, the keynote is obedience. This teaching is so very clear and impressive that even the casual reader must observe its constant reiteration. To the earnest seeker after Truth, this requirement must, if he is faithful, become the dominant principle of his consciousness. And his work along this plane of thought will be either glorious to the pulling down of the strongholds of sin and satan, or as stubble to be burned, according to his compliance or neglect, of this all-inclusive requirement of Divine Science. The necessity of the observance of this law of obedience has permeated the atmosphere, secular and religious, through all the ages; and we would do well to trace the results of attention or indifference to it, through the varied stages of thought that have occupied mankind since the creation.
Looking into the Bible, we note that the demand to obey runs like an unbroken chain through its entire length. Genesis, 2:17, "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Man did eat, and the disastrous results of knowledge of good and evil, of a mixed belief in a dual power—admitting mortal, material belief as a reality co-equal with Good—is at once the root and the fruit of all the inharmony manifested through all the annals of history.
Exodus, 20:3, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Who to-day is not groaning on account of disobedience to this Divine command, and struggling to be free from false gods?
Read 1 Samuel, 15:22, and can we fail to be impressed with the terrible result of disobedience? Do we not hear Samuel saying to Saul, "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?"
See in the sixth chapter of Daniel the result of obedience to Divine law in direct opposition to the material. A result glorious and far-reaching to the glory of God.
In the New Testament Jesus again and again impressed the importance of obedience upon his disciples. Teaching that fellowship with him is only possible through following him in obeying the Father's commands. In John how explicit he is in his teaching, that unless we keep his words and abide in him we cannot serve God. In John, 15:10, he says, "Even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love," thus summing up the whole of his teachings.
Analogous with Biblical teaching is the teaching of the every-day phase of life. Does not the success of the regiment depend on the prompt obedience of the soldier to the captain? In the storm does not the obedience of the sailor to the master tend in great measure to the safety of the ship? Does not the prosperity of the commercial enterprise depend on the carrying out of the orders of the head of the firm? In fact, in all grades of life, is not obedience requisite for the success and harmony of each and every undertaking that may engage our attention?
If in all and every condition of life obedience is necessary, how much more so is it in the Christian Scientist. As Paul says, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Does not the very subtle nature of this warfare necessitate watchful obedience to the orders of our Leader, and have we not the greatest need to watch lest we fail to see the Divine leading in all things, lest error blind us, and we become careless, indifferent, or high-minded? Paul says, Hebrews, 13:17: "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy." When our Leader issues warnings, admonitions, and precepts, and urges on us obedience to Truth's revelation, we ought to watch lest we become indifferent, for we all know the result of disobedience on our work.
In "Miscellaneous Writings," pp. 307-10, Mrs. Eddy writes on "Deification of Personality," and strongly urges on us to look away from all personality to the glorious Truth that is being revealed to us now. And as we aspire to work our salvation from materiality to spirituality, let us obey, and having done all, let us stand. Let us stand in the whole armor of God, and standing, let us present a united front. We know that united we stand, and if obedient in all our work, following out with all our capabilities the teaching of Christian Science, the victory is ou.s.
Let us beware of disobedience, for like the gaps in the ranks of an army, it weakens our fighting powers, and causes much loss of time in re-forming, even if it does not result in actual disaster.
