By Kevin Harris, pastor of the Illawarra Community Baptist Church in Wollongong, NSW
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
1 John 5:3
The commands of God are not heavy or burdensome. The Lord Jesus said, ‘My yoke is easy, and my burden is light’ (Matthew 11:30).
Like all verses, today’s verse has a context. God’s commandments to love the unlovable, to be benevolent toward the ornery, and to forbear or tolerate even when it’s hard, those commandments are not grievous. It’s no burden on us to love as God commands.
His rule is neither cruel nor overbearing. It’s neither oppressive nor unreasonable. Rather than laying upon us excessive difficulties that are ‘too much’ for us to handle, He governs His creatures benevolently. His ‘heart is kind beyond all measure.’ He satisfies our mouths with good things (Psalm 103:5). In the life of a Christian, ‘all things work together for good…according to his purpose’ (Romans 8:28).
Only rebels see God as harsh. True severity is trying to keep the world’s fashions in a slavish way, or trying to recall yesterday’s lies in order to keep up the façade, or following a path that destroys both body and soul.
Serving the world is bondage, but serving the Lord is real freedom.
When I see His great heart of love toward me, how all He does is for my benefit, how can I help but obey Him? It is not hard to submit to such a King as He!
Father, obeying You is a pleasure. I’d rather serve You than sin. Whereas sin is a brutal master, You give me delightful duties. Thank You for ultimate satisfaction in the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep me grateful and obedient to You, I ask in the Name of the Lord Jesus, Amen.
This article was written by Kevin Harris Dapto pastor of Illawarra Community Baptist Church.