When the United States broke free from England, they created the Continental Congress. Congress was the governing body and controlled the military. Several times during the war between the United States and England, Congress gave instructions to the military that were disastrous. They advanced generals that did not know how to lead and they failed to send enough equipment to the army. General George Washington was often frustrated with the inability of Congress to understand military needs, but he still followed the orders they gave. He understood the source of his authority, so he obeyed.
When the Continental Army camped for the winter at Valley Forge they were ordered by congress to camp in a location 2 miles from the nearest creek. Washington could have easily moved the army two miles to a better location, but he obeyed his instructions from Congress. General Washington obeyed all of the orders from Congress to the best of his ability and became known as a great leader even when faced with difficulties.
Many people believe that breaking rules allows more freedom. There is an example that shows the error in that thinking. If a man decides to break the law by stealing then he could be arrested and placed in jail. Does jail give him more freedom? On the other hand, if this man follows the laws, he will be able to go wherever he likes and do whatever he wants, as long as it is legal. He still has to follow rules, but not as many rules as a prisoner in jail.
Whenever we obey a just law, we gain more freedom. Whenever we break a law, we lose freedom. What rule do you have a hard time keeping? Is the punishment worth the small amount of pleasure that breaking the rule might bring? What do you get by keeping the rule? Rule breaking may bring short-lived pleasure, but following laws and rules will lead us to happiness.
I agree - obedience brings freedom. At times it may seem restrictive, but as you are obedient you gain greater freedoms in the long run. Henry Ward Beecher said it this way, "True obedience is true freedom."
ReplyDeleteI think a big part of obedience is deciding who or what you will obey. You could be obedient to your peers, parents, teachers, leaders, governments, or to God. You must choose wisely. For example, during Hitler's reign, Germans were suppose to turn in Jews to the Gestapo. There were many Germans who decided to be disobedient and hide and aid Jews. They were disobeying the laws of their land, but I believe they were obeying God's law to love your fellow men and to do unto others as you would have done to you. So in one sense, they were disobedient. If they were caught by the government, they lost their freedoms and maybe even their lives. But, in another sense, they were obeying God and they will be rewarded for their obedience to Him.
Abraham was a great example of being obedient to God. God commanded him to sacrifice his son Issac. That was an extremly difficult command, but Abraham decided to obey and went to sacrifice Issac. Right before the sacrifice was to take place, an angel from God stopped Abraham and told him he had passed his test. God was testing Abraham to see if he would obey and since he was willing to be obedient (no matter how difficult it may be) he was greatly blessed.
I believe it is important to obey the laws of the land, but I believe it is most important to be obedient to God.
Thank you, I agree. I think you hit a topic that I probably should have mentioned in the post.
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