Obedience: The Act of a Powerful Voice of Change

By: Jesus V. Sison, PTRP
Deputy National Director, CRFV

All of us are governed by laws be it spiritual, natural and/or social. As in every place or organization that we set our feet upon, there will always be set of regulations and laws either written or unwritten, formal or informal. Once we come under the jurisdiction of such place or organization, we must submit, obey and follow to the existing regulations therein. Rules and regulations were set in place to promote order and to protect everyone. It is so because first and foremost, God is the God of law and order as He is also the God of grace and loving-kindness. He has designed all of His creation to be under authority. The structure God’s authority defines different roles, responsibilities and behavior. When fulfilled properly and obeyed explicitly, it will result to blessing, protection and favor that will drastically change ones’ life, agency and community.
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If there are no institutionalized laws or regulations, there will be anarchy that chaos and problems are always present. No person would know what is expected of him/her and would just do his/her personal thing. It takes only a second’s reflection to see that the price of disobedience was high. Obedience is not a positive and popular word nowadays. Others view it as cold and harsh. Some view it as legalism or control. Perhaps it is a result of the inherent drive toward autonomy and individualism. The world has changed from what God has created it to be. God created a world of peace, order and tranquility. Tragically that order has been shattered because of disobedience and the world was filled with sin, sorrow, frustrations and suffering. Corruption and decay came into existence because of disobedience.  By freedom of choice, rooted in pride, doubt and unbelief, the first man and woman acted in defiance to God’s direct command and revealed will. With their own hands, and now, with our own, forged the chains that bound us and subjected ourselves to the same state as our first parents experienced. Subjected to corruption, sin and death. We lack the power to free ourselves from them. We just do what we want to do and cannot escape.

Obedience is a strong voice of change that speaks louder than words. Through obedience, we shut down confusion and chaos. It will always challenge lawlessness, lies and insubordination. Moreover, it promotes trust, respect and honor. It opens the doors of peace and enjoyment of God’s favor. It ushers change, restoration, reconciliation and transformation.

Obedience and the blessings therein are utterly astounding. God made a way for us to be freed from our bondage to sin, corruption and death. He made a way for us to be reconciled back to Him and the world with us. Our dilemma can be overturned if we will forsake our rebellion, return to him and live a life subjected to Him in obedience. In truth, He Himself showed the very example for us through His Son Jesus Christ. He came to earth and lived a life of perfect humility, submission and obedience to the Father’s will. The ultimate expression of His obedience was submitting to the disgraceful, humiliating, and excruciating death on the cross. Though, His crucifixion was also the utmost expression of His love for the Father and for us. Through His act of explicit obedience and sacrifice, He “who knew no sin” became sin for us “so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”. His perfect obedience to God’s law as God’s faithful Son can now be assigned to us, and our disobedience and sinful nature can be laid upon him, reconciling us to God and setting us right with Him.

This transformational experience calls us to deny ourselves, believe and follow Him. Following God are steps of obedience as we move steadily away from our former selfish interest nature and back into the will of God. We can make great progress in this world to change it and impact other lives through obedience. This powerful voice of action stirs faith, hope and expectation.