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"His commandments are not burdensome."

Text: 1 John 5:3

THE CHALLENGE TO KEEP GOD’S COMMANDMENTS

The challenge of keeping God’s commandments is very real indeed. So many fail to keep His commandments. If we truly love the brethren, we will indeed try much harder at keeping His commandments.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.
And His commandments are not burdensome.”
1 John 5:3

1. “For this is the love of God”

a) This phrase can mean “our love for God”.

b) That God loves us has already been stated many times.

c) God has proven His love for us in unmistakable ways.

d) The giving of the Lord Jesus Christ to die for our sins is the greatest demonstration of God’s love for us.

2. How do we express our love for God?

a) John offers a great challenge.

b) He suggests that we can best demonstrate our love for God when we keep His commandments.

i) It shows that we have a great regard for God.

ii) A true regard for God expresses itself well when His commandments are kept.

3. A great example is the Lord Jesus

a) He loved His Father.

b) He kept His Father’s commandments.

c) He obeyed His Father fully even if that meant suffering and dying a painful death on the cross.

4. “And His commandments are not burdensome”

a) Love enables us to bear all things.

b) The commandments of God are challenging but they are not burdensome.

c) The word “burdensome” suggests: –

i) That they will weigh us down.

ii) That they will overcome us by its sheer weight.

d) Anyone who truly loves God will never say that His commandments are burdensome.

i) They will find grace and strength to keep His commandments.

ii) There will be love and joy in the heart in serving the Lord as well.

iii) The love for God will enable us to endure much suffering for His name’s sake.