The Life of Obedience

“Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:18-19)  In one of the more remarkable passages of the letter to the Romans, Paul makes an incredible assertion.  Jesus is not merely a wonderful example, he is not only a great moral teacher, he is actually the second Adam.  He is the new human being who changes all of human history!  Talk about a reset button!  Paul argues that all of us were participants in lives of disobedience but now there is a new way: participation in the life of obedience offered in Jesus Christ.  At first encounter, perhaps the obedience language sounds rather cold and impersonal.  “Just do as you are told,” we may be hearing.  However, try thinking about it this way: how else ought one relate to the perfect love of God?  “Do as you’re told” begins to become “live as the beautiful creation I know you to be.”  And going even further, “allow the life of Jesus to be shaped in you.”  John Wesley writes the day after his Aldersgate experience: “The moment I awakened, “Jesus, Master,” was in my heart and in my mouth; and I found all my strength lay in keeping my eye fixed upon Him and my soul waiting on Him continually.”  Throughout this season of Lent, let us learn the life of obedience even as we fix our minds upon Jesus and submit to the depths of our Lord’s gracious love.