Obedience School

"Just as through one man's disobedience all became sinners, so through one man's obedience all shall become just." —Romans 5:19

The Lord promised that we could quickly crush Satan under our feet (Rm 16:20), destroy strongholds and "demolish sophistries and every proud pretension that raises itself against the knowledge of God" (2 Cor 10:4-5). However, we don't see Satan crushed and the destruction of such strongholds as abortion, racism, pornography, starvation. This is because God's promise is conditional on our own obedience being made perfect, that is, complete (2 Cor 10:6).

"Complete" obedience does not mean that we have never sinned by disobeying but that we have committed ourselves to obeying the Lord "in every aspect of (our) conduct" (see 1 Pt 1:15). We have decided on "complete coverage" in our obedience. We obey the Lord speaking through the Church, in the Bible, through the Pope, bishops, authorities, husbands, parents, and leaders. We are submissive to one another because of our fear of Christ (Eph 5:21). We obey the Lord completely. To do this, we have learned what the Bible says and what the Church and Pope teach. We obey the Lord in our relationships, sexuality, money, possessions, time, work, speaking, eating, sleeping, recreation, etc. There are no areas of our lives where we haven't tried to know God's will or where we don't even think of obeying God. We are living lives of complete obedience (see 1 Pt 1:2). We're not trapped into the selfish emptiness of doing our own thing. We live a life of love, for obedience is an essential way of expressing our love (see Jn 15:10; 1 Jn 5:3).

However, most people, including Christians, are not living lives of obedience but of disobedience. Our whole world is blanketed with disobedience. For example, within one square mile of where you are right now, there have probably been several thousands acts of disobedience within the last hour. How many people have taken the Lord's name in vain? How many have gossiped about someone and "killed" that person's reputation? How many have let the TV become their god and neglected their prayer life? How many people have looked lustfully at someone on the TV? (see Mt 5:28) How many have not been keeping holy the Lord's day by not attending Mass? How many parents have not been giving their children good example? We are living in epidemic, universal, generational, blinding disobedience. We are not in authority over the devil because we are not under authority to the Lord Jesus.

Let us repent, go to Confession, and even if we have spiritually blinded ourselves through disobedience, we should confess that one sin we are aware of. This may be like pulling a thread by which we unravel a whole fabric of sin, self-deception, and spiritual blindness. No matter how weak we are, Jesus will give us strength if we love Him enough to want to obey Him. By His grace and your love, change from a life of disobedience to a life of obedience. You may be a pioneer in obedience, the first person in the city or parish to obey in a certain area.You will then quickly crush the devil, stop abortion, remove racism, restore families, feed the starving, set captives free, make disciples of all nations, and renew the church. "Rejoice in the privilege of obeying the Lord (see Ps 40:9).

Nihil obstat: Rev. Edward J. Gratsch, August 3, 1994.
Imprimatur: † Most Rev. Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 9, 1994.