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And His commandments are not burdensome 1 John 5:3

Text: 1 John
13 April 2006

(I) FIRST REFERENCE TO THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD

“Brethren, I write no new commandments to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.
Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.” 1 John 2:7-8

1. Comprehending use of language

a) “Old Commandment”

“The word which you have heard from the beginning” 1 John 2:7

b) “New Commandment”

“Which thing is true in Him and in you…
The true light is already shining…” 1 John 2:8

c) “Abiding in the light”

“He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling
In him” 1 John 2:10

2. Comprehending ramifications of the language employed

a) Commandment- “The word”

b) Commandment- “The light”

c) Commandment- To abide in both the word and the light

(II) SECOND REFERENCE TO THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD

“And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” 1 John 3:23-24
“And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” 1 John 4:21

1. Specific Commandments of God highlighted

a) To believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ

b) To love one another

2. Special Experience of God when we keep His commandments

a) Of God’s indwelling and abiding Presence

b) Through the ministry of the Spirit of God

(III) THIRD REFERENCE TO THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD

“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” 1 John 5:2-3

1. Reversal of statements

a) Love for brethren

b) When we love God and keep His commandments

2. Reinforcement of commandments

a) To love God

b) To keep His commandments

c) To love each other as children of God

3. Response

a) Determination to keep God’s commandments

b) Love for God and His commandments

c) His commandments are not burdensome