1 John 5:3-4 2/13/2018

“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.”

The same Holy Spirit that teaches love, also demands and enables obedience.

Too often we see God’s commands as burdens… a list of “don’ts” designed to rob our lives of pleasure. We believe the lie that we are missing out by not pursuing what the world says is gratifying.

So, we grab our “fire insurance” religion and spend our days seeing how close to the edge we can live without getting burned.  We wear the jersey but never enter the game.

There are no verses that offer assurance for that lifestyle. 

In fact, scripture is clear. Loving God means keeping His word. What is perplexing about our attitude is that obedience is not a price tag, it is a benefit.

Seeing His word as burdensome is like a kitten being annoyed that it must walk around, and not through the Pit Bull enclosure.

God’s word is the “owner’s manual” written by the creator…following it makes life work. It keeps us safe and prevents the enemy from stealing, killing, and destroying, which is his stated purpose. (John 10:10)

You are not burdened by God’s commands, you are set free to follow them.  Evaluate your life…you will see His plan always works, and the world’s never does.

You won’t be perfect, but you have been given strength to resist and provided with grace to redeem. So, overcome the world and live in obedience and victory. You are no longer a slave to sin, so stop allowing it to pollute your life.

“You will know as much of God, and only as much of God, as you are willing to put into practice.”
― Eric Liddell