This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:2–5, NIV 1984).
My Musings – The world believes that God’s commands are burdensome. Why else would it spend so much time and effort in pushing the boundaries? Because they cannot obey His commands. That’s why Christ had to come and bear that burden for us.
For “everyone born of God,” those who truly believe “that Jesus is the Son of God,” and have put their faith in Him, do not find His commands burdensome. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables us to overcome the temptation to disobey His commands. A capability we didn’t have before coming to faith in Him.
For, “no temptation has seized [us] except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let [us] be tempted beyond what [we] can bear. But when [we] are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that [we] can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV 1984). Unfortunately, there are times we do not stand up. We can. There is a way. But we don’t take it.
That is a burden we need not bear. But when we do give in to sin, all is not lost. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8–9, NIV 1984). Of course, “to obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22, NIV 1984). To obey is better than confession and repentance.
My Advice – “[God has] made [the overcomer’s] lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for [them] in pleasant places; surely [we] have a delightful inheritance.” (Psalms 16:5–6, NIV 1984). Pleasant, not burdensome. Let’s show “[our] love for God” by not pushing the boundaries of His moral laws like the world does.
The Brew Is A Musing 