Of nature and obedience

…continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort – for the sake of his good pleasure – is God. (Phil. 2:12b-13 NET)

A devoted life necessitates an obsequious manner in relation to its master. Such is the example that Christ first laid out in taking up a towel and consenting to crucifixion. Yet such deferent vassalage, common to feudal societies of the past, is so adversely opposed to the pervasive systems of entitlement and meritocracy which are perpetuated in neopopular culture. In fact, observing the general public mentality, one could likely descry Milton’s devil in the foreground of many a modern action, blaring: ‘Better to reign in hell…’

I would gladly claim the former if I were not so prone (as deeds have often demonstrated) to the latter; for my religion is a sham, marking its achievements by the validation of those ostensibly venerated whilst pocketing out pennies for the vagrants at its doorstep. But let alone the Source of my religion, lest, as Rameau’s Nephew, my namesake should become an implacable splinter of discontentment upon which I subsist only nominally, never released to find the incalculable worth within.

Never again! Mine is a theophoric nature. My salvation: ongoing. For it depends not upon my working, but on the One who works in me. What is my response then? It mustn’t be any less than absolute submission wrought in a reverent and grateful heart. Such a response inspires obedience and is the substantiation of true love.