In our contemporary world, remaining centered on God and seeking only moral goodness requires the obedience of faith.

Faith is by definition assent to things that are not seen.  It is the absolute belief in the complete mysteries that remain hidden in the mind of God.

St. Paul points to the significance of obedient faith. He tells us that “we were buried with Christ by baptism into his death.  As Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father; we too might walk in newness of life in Him (Rom 6:4).

Faith that sustains perfect obedience to the will of God requires the real presence of grace.

And cemented within the pursuit of obedience in the faith life is the call to uphold the moral tenets of the Christian faith.  Theological and moral obedience are as inseparable as fish and the sea. Faith brings a firm conviction in the divine truths communicated by God.

The Word fills the heart with such audacious passion that it sets all four chambers aflame with inexpressible joy. St. Paul’s teaching on faith is clear in its call for a heart of obedience.

He urges “Present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rm 12:1-2).

Thus, attaining the renewed mind in Christ cannot be accomplished apart from moral obedience. Obedient faith that is built on trust in God would lose the merits of sanctifying grace in the presence of moral sin.

As God tells Abraham, “Walk before Me and be blameless” (Gen 17:1).

It is quite evident that faith and moral obedience in the Christian life cannot be separated.

Perhaps this is why St. Thomas Aquinas refers to obedience as the greatest offering we can make to God, and the best means to perfect charity.