1 Peter 1:14

CHRISTIAN OBEDIENCE

‘As obedient children.’

1 Peter 1:14

There are three, and only three, motives for obedience: Interest; Fear; Love. There is the obedience of the hireling; of the slave; of the child.

I. The obedience of the hireling.—It has often been mistaken for Christian obedience. Here is a man whose life is a subject of wonder. Men say of him, ‘What holiness!’ But on closer inspection I perceive that there is not in that soul a spark of love. He has reasoned thus: ‘To gain heaven, I must suffer and live meritoriously.’ Is such a man fit for the kingdom of heaven? No. Heaven is to be purchased neither with money nor with merits. God will not accept an obedience of which the secret and supreme motive is interest. There may still be in your heart a tinge of the mercenary spirit. Have you not murmured when affliction has assailed you? These murmurs, whence did they proceed if not from miscalculation? If the Christian does not obey for the sake of a reward, it does not follow that Christian obedience is left unrewarded. The teaching of Christ may be resumed in these words: ‘Blessed are they that mourn.’ ‘They that mourn,’ that is the sacrifice. ‘Blessed,’ that is the reward.

II. The obedience of the slave.—It had been easy for God to obtain servile obedience. He could have bowed under His yoke every rebellious will. He has not done so. He has not wished to do so. An obedience inspired by terror has no value in His sight. The gospel is in reality but a solemn and touching appeal to our liberty. An ancient poet said that the tempests which agitate the depths of the ocean only serve to form the gems that are found beneath the waters. Can we not say likewise that all the designs of Providence, such as they appear to us in Scripture; that all the threatenings of God, His chastisements, the afflictions He sends, have no other purpose than to produce this masterpiece of creation, this triumph of Divine love—souls that consecrate themselves freely to God? In presence of the Cross servile obedience is derision.

III. The obedience of the child.—God will not be served by mercenaries nor by slaves. Who then will serve Him? The Apostle answers, children. This word resumes the whole subject: absolute dependence upon God, holy respect, tender love. It reminds us of the motives we have for obedience. It removes whatever of servility or interest might mingle with Christian obedience.

Illustration

‘Here is a man who flatters himself he will shake off the yoke. He will be his own master and do his own will. He has no sooner entered upon this course than a passion appears, saying, “Follow me,” and he follows it; “Disgrace thyself,” and he disgraces himself. And when it has led him whither he would not go, when it has crushed his energies and paralysed his will, the unhappy victim discovers that he has only exchanged a willing obedience for the most servile degradation. Man created to obey does not avoid this duty by separating himself from God; he only changes masters. There are those who yield obedience to necessity, to force; some to duty, others to charity. The Christian alone directly obeys Him Who is truth and love. What constitutes his greatness is that he freely responds to the design of his Creator. Not fatally, as do the worlds His mighty hand has scattered in space.’