Part 3, Chapter 11
Obedience, I think when we think about this word, we think about taking dogs to obedience school. Obedience in common usage is doing something that we have been ordered to. There is truth in this. When we have been instructed to do something by a lawful superior, we should do it. For example, if a parent tells their child to do something that is not sinful; the child should do it right away. This is what we call necessary obedience. This type of obedience is what we are expected to do. Another example of this type of obedience would be the Speed Limit; it is something we are expected to follow because a lawful superior (the law of the State) has told us to follow it. It doesn’t matter that most officers will not ticket for 5 MPH over, the speed limit is given as a lawful thing and it means that we should obey. This type of obedience should be to ones “pope, bishop, [priest] or those commissioned by them. You are likewise bound to obey your civil superiors, father, mother” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 97). Thus necessary obedience is something that must be done (no choice) and it is imposed by our lawful superior. Think about the commandments, they are imposed by God and we should do them. These are necessary for us in the spiritual life. **Note** (Yes, there is free will, which means we always have a choice, but to make a choice against God and His commandments is something that is detrimental to us). To be disobedient is not good for us; it doesn’t lead to the devout life.
Voluntary obedience is different and this we should strive for. “Voluntary obedience is such as we undertake by our own choice, and which is not imposed by others” (Introduction to the Devout Life). We don’t have to do it, but in the spiritual life, it will help us greatly to live this out. For example, a lawful superior asks us to do something, but does not order us to do something, we should do it, but we don’t have to. This type of obedience helps us to be willing to do whatever someone asks of us as long as it is not sinful. Thus if we do this type of obedience we will be more open to living the will of God in all moments of our day. “If you would acquire a ready obedience to superiors, accustom yourself to yield to your equals, giving way to their opinions where nothing wrong is involved, without arguing or peevishness” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 97). It is a lowering of ourselves; it is humility because we trust that God is working in this moment.
Thus in the end, we should be obedient, not because we have to, we have free will after all, but because it is the loving thing to do. God loves us; He calls us to live obedience. Now we should and must live it to be devout toward Him. Obedience is truly training us for holiness!