John, the beloved apostle, wrote, “This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous [burdensome]” (I John 5:3).
Some would beg to differ. They find God’s commands inconvenient, if not a real pain. Every device has been tried to explain how one can be a Christian without literally obeying God’s Word.
Why do some find God’s commands such a burden? And why do others, like John, find obeying God to be no burden at all? Love makes all the difference. “And this is love, that we walk after his commandments.” Obeying God has practical results in faithful love in marriage, helping those in need, and Christian generosity and honesty.
It’s a virtuous cycle: Love produces obedience, and obedience produces even greater love. Too many experience, instead, a vicious cycle of disobedience which leaves them guilty and certainly not loving God, but resenting both Him and His commands.
It’s a most unsatisfying cycle, but one that God, by His grace, will help us break. The Bibleteaches that God’s grace both makes us righteous, and enables us to live right (see Romans 6:16-23).
God invites you to experience His grace. “The Spirit and the bride say, Come” (Revelation 22:17). God commands all men everywhere to repent of their sin and believe on His Son (Acts 17:30). When we do that, He does three things for us: Forgives past sin (Romans 3:25), gives a new nature that doesn’t want to sin (2 Peter 1:4), and delivers from the tyranny of sin (Romans 6:14). Those so converted both want to, and are able to, obey and serve Him faithfully until death.
And that is why they love God. Nothing can produce real love for God like experiencing His power to overcome the sin that enslaved us. It is then that we, like John, find His commandments no burden.
So don’t let anyone tell you that it is impossible to obey the Bible or that it requires some marathon self-discipline. It only requires that we surrender to God in repentance. Ask anyone who has experienced His grace. He’ll tell you that God’s commands are no longer a burden.
-by Dallas Witmer