If Christians will obey the instructions given to them by Christ

In the ancient wisdom that has been passed down through the ages, we often find that the struggle of the soul is not solely one of suffering, but of obedience and discipline. The words of Ellen G. White reflect this age-old truth: "If Christians will obey the instructions given to them by Christ and his inspired apostles, they will adorn the religion of the Bible, and save themselves much perplexity and severe trials, which they attribute to their afflictions in consequence of believing unpopular truth." These words are a call to action for those who walk the path of faith, urging them to align their lives with the teachings of Christ, not just in belief, but in action, to avoid the unnecessary tribulations that arise when one lives in contradiction to the divine principles.

At the heart of White’s statement lies the notion that obedience to divine teachings is not merely a matter of religious practice, but a pathway to inner peace. It is a reminder that Christ’s message—one of love, humility, and service—is not merely to be accepted as truth, but to be lived out in the world. The trials and afflictions that Christians often attribute to the challenges of following unpopular truth may, according to White, be the result of failing to fully embrace the simplicity and obedience required by the Gospel. To live in accordance with the instructions given by Christ is to align oneself with the flow of divine will, sparing oneself much inner turmoil and unnecessary suffering.

Consider the example of St. Paul, whose life exemplified the tension between the world’s rejection of truth and the obedience required to follow Christ’s message. When Paul was called by Christ to spread the Gospel, he faced countless trials, from imprisonment to shipwreck, from persecution to hardship. Yet, despite these trials, Paul remained unwavering in his obedience to his divine calling. His steadfast commitment to the truth allowed him to endure even the most severe afflictions, and he found peace in knowing that his suffering was part of the greater purpose of spreading God’s word. Paul’s obedience was not a passive acceptance of divine will, but an active choice to follow Christ’s path, regardless of the obstacles in his way.

Throughout history, countless individuals have faced affliction for standing firm in their faith. Joan of Arc, a young woman who heard the voices of saints calling her to lead France to victory, faced persecution and trial, not for her obedience to the teachings of Christ, but for her unwavering belief in a mission that defied the worldly powers of her time. Her life was marked by courage, and her faith remained unshaken, even as she faced death for her beliefs. Though her truth was deemed unpopular, it was the obedience to her divine calling that gave her the strength to endure. Her story exemplifies the truth that obedience to divine principles brings clarity in the face of confusion and strength in the face of persecution.

White’s teaching aligns with the ancient wisdom of Socrates, who understood that the soul finds peace not through external approval or worldly success, but through the integrity of living a life guided by truth. Socrates’ own death, sentenced by the Athenian courts for his “unpopular” ideas, was a testament to the tension between living by the truth and facing the world’s judgment. Yet, Socrates was resolute, saying, "The unexamined life is not worth living," for to him, the life of obedience to truth was the only life worth living. This profound understanding of obedience and the consequences of straying from divine principles resonates deeply with White’s words.

The lesson in White’s quote speaks to us in the present day. We live in a world that often seeks the path of least resistance, preferring comfort over integrity and worldly success over spiritual obedience. Yet, as White suggests, it is through obedience to the teachings of Christ that we avoid the perplexities of life. When we seek truth, not for approval but for the sake of living authentically, we align ourselves with the divine will, and affliction becomes a means of growth, not suffering. Obedience is not a form of submission; it is an active choice that leads to freedom and peace, for it is in following divine law that we find true fulfillment.

Thus, the practical action we can take from White’s words is to examine our own lives, to ask ourselves whether we are living in obedience to the teachings of Christ or whether we are, knowingly or unknowingly, deviating from them. We must embrace the truth, even when it is unpopular, even when it costs us. In our everyday lives, we can find peace and clarity by aligning ourselves with the principles of love, humility, and service that Christ taught. By doing so, we will adorn the religion of the Bible, and avoid the unnecessary trials that come from trying to live outside of divine truth. Let us live lives marked by obedience to divine principles, and in doing so, find peace, strength, and purpose that transcend the struggles of this world.