1 John 5:3
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.”
-1 John 5:3 (NASB)-
Let’s look at the context of the verse first and answer a few key questions.
Who wrote it? John, an apostle
When was it written? Toward the end of his life, before he was sent to Patmos (between AD 85 and 90)
To whom was it written? Gentile congregations
For what purpose? To reassure Christians in their faith and counter false teachings.
Friends, meet Hank. I will use him as an illustration in today’s devotional, so I thought it only fair I show you how handsome he is!
1 John 5:3
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.”
To love God is to also love His commandments. If we say that we are a believer and love God yet walk in total disobedience to His Word and without fellowship with Him, then unfortunately we are liars. I know what you are thinking…it’s harsh to call someone as liar, but love is a powerful word, and it must come with action.
If we love God, it will show.
How does love for God show in our lives?
In obedience.
I think about my sweet dog, Hank. I am not a dog person by nature, but he is such a great pet. He never went to obedience school, but we told him what he could and couldn’t do as a puppy and now he follows when we say something to him. He acts the way he does because he loves and trusts us. He knows we take care of him. He has seen the evidence of living in the Canipe household, and his obedience shows. Now, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t occasionally get in the trash thinking he can find something a little tastier than his dog food, but that’s another devotion for another day, ‘cause…well…that’s how we are too at times, right?
Love to God will simply show with our obedience.
God’s commandments are not meant to be burdensome or these strict rules to follow but are meant for our protection as His creation. His commandments were put in place to protect us from the effects of sin and to allow us to life the most fulfilling life in Him. He wants His best for us, and it won’t be found outside of breaking His commandments.
I have heard so many times that being a Christian is restricting, binding and boring. That is so far from the truth! There is freedom in Christ and when we are born again…saved by the blood of Jesus…we are given a new heart that desires to serve Him and honor Him. The law is no longer written on tablets of stone, but on our hearts! It’s a joy to honor Him and walk in obedience to a God that loves us enough to die for us!
Obedience is not easy, but when we compare them to the religious rules made up by men, we see they are not made to be burdensome. John wanted us to see the simplicity of loving God and following Him…it wasn’t about following a list of rules set by the religious leaders in his day. The yoke of Jesus is easy, and His burden is light, friend!
When we love someone, it’s easy to honor them and walk in obedience. Just as Hank, our sweet lab stays close to us whenever we are around ‘cause he desires that fellowship and relationship, we should be the same way with God. My husband has set boundaries on what he allows for Hank to do, and he follows them, because he knows that outside of that, he is going to get in trouble.
We may not get in physical trouble outside of the commandments of God, but it should trouble our spirit. Let’s be a people that if we say we love God, it shows!
If we don’t follow the commandments of the Lord, how can we expect to share The Good News and draw others to the life-changing love of Jesus? If we aren’t loving God and following His commandments, how can we expect our children and their children to do so? It matters how we love our lives, and it impacts generations to come. Honoring God and His Word has a lasting impression that outlives our own physical bodies.
Written by: Ashlee Canipe from Paint It Up
Ashlee is not only a super-talented writer, but an artist as well. She sells her artwork on her website. I love supporting other small businesses!!
