Such is the place obedience has in Holy Scripture, in the mind of God, in the hearts of His servants. We may well ask of ourselves, “Does it take that place in my heart and life?” Have we indeed given obedience that supreme place of authority over us that God means it to have, as the inspiration of every action, and of every approach to Him?

To Jesus, obedience was a life principle. Obedience with Him did not mean a single act of obedience now and then, not even a series of acts, but the spirit of His whole life. “I came, not to do My own will.” “Lo, I come, to do Thy will, O God.” He had come into the world for one  purpose. Jesus only lived to carry out God’s will. The one supreme, all-controlling power of His life was obedience. In Christ this obedience was a joy. “I delight to do Thy will, O God.” 

As God’s image bearer, Adam was given the mandate to execute God’s will upon the earth, to subdue and to have dominion over it. Through this delegated dominion, Adam’s objective was to fulfill God’s purposes on earth. That exercise of power was accomplished through close fellowship, communication and submission to God.