The requirement for being “God’s people” is still obedience. The primary reason for obedience is the fact that man is a creature, and as such receives from God “life and breath and everything” (Acts 17: 25), and therefore can in no way be independent of him. “Woe to him who strives with his Maker. . . .”—says the prophet—“ Dare the clay say to him who fashioned it, ‘What are you making?’ ” (Is 45: 9). Obedience is the essential relationship of the creature with God, it ensures order, harmony and happiness.
Disobedience is a break with God, an abandonment of his friendship, a refusal of his sovereignty, a proud pretension of living independently of him. Obedience is the practical recognition of God’s absolute primacy, the realization that without him man can find no good, no happiness; it is humble submission to his wishes, loving and docile acceptance of his commandments, communion with him.
God is the Father, and man his son, does not lessen the duty of obedience, rather it makes it more of a duty since it springs not from servile fear, but from filial love. Obedience is the fruit of love, of friendship with God, and at the same time is their concrete witness. The more we renounce our own will and conform in all things to God’s will, the more we are united to him in perfect communion.
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