Concerning obedience the Lord said:
“I came down from heaven to do not what I want, but what the Father who
sent me wants.”
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy to be my
disciple.” “If you love me, keep my commandments.” And, “You will remain
faithful to my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments, so I
remain faithful to his love.” “If anyone comes to me and does not deny his
father and mother, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” And the Lord
said to Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew and Philip: “Follow me” and
immediately they “left everything and followed him”. Again another of his
disciples said to him: “Lord, let me go first to bury my father.”But Jesus said
to him:”;Let the dead bury their dead. You follow me.”
And the apostle said: “If I preach the Gospel, it is no cause for me to boast.
Woe is me if I do not preach the Gospel!” Also, “Let there be among you the
same mindset that Jesus Christ had, who, though he was God, did not
consider his equality with God a result of the rapture, but denied all things and
took the form of a slave.” And elsewhere: “Thou hast joined with me in
doctrine, in manner of life, in purposes.” “We take captive every thought and
make it to obey Christ, and we are ready to punish every disobedience when
your obedience is complete.”
From the Great Gerontikon
Translated by Dr. Nick Stergiou
Advice on Obedience
