Master Eckhart said, "True and perfect obedience is a virtue above all virtues." Certainly many Christian leaders through the centuries would agree. Without the discipline of obedience how can we expect to have a vital relationship with God? Jesus said, "If you love me, obey my commandments." NLT

This morning we have recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, the Christian Flag, and the Bible, indicating faithfulness and devotion that generally involves obedience. This coming week we will remember the independence of our country and realize that men and women served their country to secure this independence. Can you imagine how this could have taken place if the soldiers had not obeyed their leaders?

How do we attain spiritual independence? While salvation is a free gift of God, we must obey God's instructions to continue to enjoy spiritual independence. By so doing we can experience a deep and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. For a few minutes this morning as we consider obedience, I suggest we think first about:
I. Ego As Master         and then about
II. Master Ego.

I. Ego As Master

Webster defines Ego as the self, the individual aware of himself.

Albert Edward Day wrote: "The significance of obedience is not merely that it makes for social order, or that it brings us into line with God's perfect will. Actually, obedience is a vigorous blow against one of the tyrants that monopolize us - our ego."

He continues, "Obedience means assent to another's right to command and specific consent to that command. Such assent and consent smite the ego and our selfish pride. ... One of the most constant characteristics of the ego is its desire to 'run the show', It insists on being boss, 'No one is going to tell me what to do.'"

Dr. Day and others have also said, "Obedience is not a habit with most people because ego is on the throne and refuses to vacate."

We might say it another way. Many allow the Ego to Master them. Sometimes I have mentioned being enslaved to sin. Many are enslaved and tyrannized by their own ego. Living primarily for our selves, with the attitude that we need not obey God, or His rules, or His leaders is very simply sin. Don't disguise it as doing your own thing. Confess it and call it what God calls it. SIN!

Listen again the Paul's words to the Roman's: "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts." ... "Do you not know that when you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either sin, resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness." If we allow Ego to be our Master we are in trouble. Trouble like that which began with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Ego as Master is the old sin nature that needs to be replaced with the new Christ nature, the nature in which we Master Ego.

II. Master Ego.

This is what Paul speaks of in verses 17 & 18. "But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from your sin, you became slaves of righteousness." This is related to the freedom we enjoy. We need to make something very clear here. We do NOT master our ego as Paul described, merely by determining that we will do so! To Master Ego we must surrender our lives to Jesus Christ and allow His Holy spirit to empower us to live right. v. 22,23.

Albert Day wrote: "We need not fear that the wise practice of obedience will make puppets out of us. Rather, it makes the real self, more truly master. When the usurping ego is manacled and finally banished, the real self, made in the image of God, is able to act like a child of God. One becomes a true person when, recognizing God as Lord, both freedom and fulfillment are found in that Lordship."

He goes on to list some suggested practices - not legalistic requirements, but tools to help keep alive in us to the spirit of obedience. He also asks us not turn away from any of these simply because they upset us. We need to be upset to truly master ego and grow closer to God.

For Sunday he suggests:
Recall some rules of the church and faithfully practice them today.
Attend a service whether you feel like it or not.
Bow your head in prayer when entering your pew, even though you may be curious to see who else is present.
Maintain reverent silence even though your neighbor insists on whispered conversation.
Pay your church pledge in full.
Join in the singing and the prayers.
Move over and graciously let someone else have the end seat.
Greet some strangers warmly, even though you would rather step away quietly.

For today, refrain from "uncharitable and unprofitable conversation," foolish talking and jesting." You may not quite see the point. But here is a rule, obey it.
Obey your own highest ideals for this one day.
Read one chapter from the Sermon on the Mount and faithfully conform your conduct to the spirit and purpose of that teaching.
Do not argue today, but obey, obey, obey.
If the preacher's sermon made clear even one injunction of Christ, see if you can fulfill it to the letter for this one day.

In the course of the day, you may remember a number of lessons that preaching, teaching, and reading of other days impressed upon you. As they emerge in memory, obey them. See if you can go through the entire day without one act of disobedience to the remembered standards of Christ.

For later in the week he suggests that we ask ourselves these penetrating questions:
Examine your acts of obedience earlier in the week, by asking yourself such questions as these: