Obedience! This word has new significance for us through the teachings of Christian Science.
It is a common complaint, and a very old one, that it is much too difficult to obey all the Ten Commandments or even the rules set down by parents and civil authorities. This complaint is usually accompanied by the belief that there is something to be gained by our ignoring or disobeying the law. We see all about us the unhappy effects of this rebellion against discipline, the destructive results of ignorance of God's intent.
Christian Science is turning mankind to the understanding of God as Love and of His law as the beneficent provision of the heavenly Father for the protection of His children. This Science teaches that reality consists of omnipotent God, Spirit, and His spiritual universe, including perfect man, His reflection, governed by undeviating law. It reasons that lawfulness and strength are inherent in man, that they are God-directed and God-sustained, and that insubordination and weakness are illusions of the carnal mind, which, when recognized and denounced, can be proved powerless.
Mary Baker Eddy states in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 387), "The history of Christianity furnishes sublime proofs of the supporting influence and protecting power bestowed on man by his heavenly Father, omnipotent Mind, who gives man faith and understanding whereby to defend himself, not only from temptation, but from bodily suffering."
The Ten Commandments have a loving purpose which might be illustrated by a simple example: The mother who consistently instructs her child not to cross the street against a red light has nothing but tender interest in the child's welfare, and she knows his ability to comply with her instructions. The child is safe and happy as long as he obeys his mother's loving instructions. On the other hand, a mother who relaxes the rules and demands obedience only part of the time provides no dependable guide or sure example for the child's protection.
How could an all-loving, divine Father-Mother God demand obedience in one instance and not in another and still command our devotion and confidence? The erroneous concept of God as an inconsistent creator is one of the beliefs which engender disobedience.
Christ Jesus opened his Sermon on the Mount with assurances of blessings to all those who yield their thought to the guidance of God, divine Principle, and he subsequently insisted (Matt. 5:18), "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." And he continued, "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
The carnal mind would try to tempt us to lower our standard of obedience. The obedient are sometimes the target of the disobedient, for the disobedient seek to justify their own imperfection and rebellion against correction by being able to point to others who they claim are also disobedient. Jesus proved the illegitimacy of mortal mind and also demonstrated the power to be derived from maintaining obedience to the law of divine Mind.
Speaking of the Science of Christianity (Matt. 7: 24, 25), "Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."
Mankind frequently endeavor to obtain security, success, friendship, and happiness through methods contrary to God's rules. These attempts continually fall short of their goal or run awry because they are based on false concepts rather than on the true understanding of God. However, it is right for men to expect to receive blessings as a result of conformity to Truth.
If there are those who claim that obedience to the law of God has not benefited them or protected them from trouble, a conscientious search of their thoughts will surely reveal that their so-called obedience has not been genuine but spasmodic, halfhearted, or rebellious.
Those who through Christian Science come to understand God as an all-loving Father rather than as a tyrannical or inconsistent creator of a material universe can also demonstrate that man's only inclination or ability is to be obedient. When we understand that there is in reality only one cause and that this cause is infinite power and perfection, we reach the inevitable conclusion that the effect of this cause reflects infinite power and perfection. To submit to the subtle, lying suggestion of the carnal mind that there is no power or freedom in obeying God's law brings about the loss of the very things we desire: power and freedom.
If we start with material or immoral methods to gain something which basically stems from that which is spiritual and moral, such as friendship, security, and happiness, we have ignored or disobeyed the Saviour's simplest rule of logic: that grapes are not the fruit of thorns, nor figs of thistles. Conversely, those who are consistently obedient to absolute Principle should expect to have much good to show for their efforts. Many Christian Scientists have demonstrated the truth of Mrs. Eddy's statement on page 183 of Science and Health: "Obedience to Truth gives man power and strength. Submission to error superinduces loss of power."
The writer at one time submitted to the currents of social influence and was carried away from her standards of obedience and behavior. Finally she began to realize that she was being swept into a whirlpool of false concepts and desires and that, instead of gaining respect and friendship, her true individuality was being submerged, her standards were in danger of being engulfed, and her real wishes were being suppressed.
An unpleasant physical condition on her hands clung to her for more than a year. Unhappiness, self-condemnation, and remorse overbalanced any personal sense of satisfaction she had in following the crowd. Continually she felt the Father's presence and heard His voice reminding her of the way of obedience and saying to her (Isa. 30:21), "This is the way, walk ye in it."
Eventually she turned her efforts against the undertow of false influence and began through Christian Science to regain step by step her foothold on solid ground by being obedient to spiritual standards. As she stood firmly for obedience to God's laws, physical healing of her hands came, and the whole tide of her life changed. The blessings of adherence to Principle have since become innumerable; among these are enlarged individuality and usefulness, many lovely friendships, and a happy home, as well as a restoration of her ability to demonstrate the healing power of God.
The book of Proverbs is full of powerful statements for those humble enough to discern their holy purpose. In Chapter 3 we are lovingly counseled (1-4): "My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man."
