His Commands are not Grievous

Have you ever been given a task that you felt was too hard for you? I know I have. One time when I was working Now, do you feel like God’s commandments are too hard? Now we say no, but in our actions we say yes. Because we do not do them. That is what John is saying here. Last week we talked about what God’s love teaches us as far as loving God and loving others.

Anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ, and trusts Him is born of God. That is how you get saved. Because you are saved you should love God and love others as we talked about last week. Just like it is natural for you to love your siblings although they annoy you. Again we see that the love of God comes through keeping His commandments. And His commandments are not grievous meaning they are not a burden. You should obey God’s commands, and they are not grievous.

Why are God’s commandments not grievous?

Because we love God

Doing things for people we love are not burdensome. They actually take some of the load off. Things my wife and I do for each other, and will do for our son. Not saying that there is not any burden but not as much if there is no love

Jacob loved Rachel, and worked for 7 years which seemed like a few days,

John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

Since God saved us, we should love Him.

Overcomes the world

The Christian is under attack from the world, and we can have victory but it is through obeying the commands.

The believer has the opportunity to overcome but it is through the commands of God

There is victory in God’s commands

Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Psalm 19:7-11 “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.”

There are certain things that seem or are hard, but the reward is so much better. The effort athletes put in, is worth the reward of playing at the highest level. There was a NBA player who played in the 1970s, who is since in Heaven, named Pistol Pete Maravich. He has the all-time scoring record in the NCAA, before they had 3 pointers. There was video of him saying how much he practiced. During the winter 4 hours a day, he lived down south, and in the summer 8 hours a day.

Takes faith

It is our faith that overcomes the world, and it is our faith not just at salvation, but living by faith.

Demas, who I believe was saved, did not overcome the world but was overcome by the world

2 timothy 4:10 “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”

The Christian life runs by faith. It starts with faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and we need to continue to live by faith

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Meaning each step we take or action we do is by faith. Faith that it pleases God. If you are going somewhere you never been, you either use a GPS or someone who know how to go everywhere. You take what they say, and do it. Turn here, go past this light, arrive. That is the same way with God and living by faith, we do what He says that this is what He wants from us.

Do you live by faith or by sight? Do you obey God or do you obey whatever influencer you follow?

God calls you to obey Him, and His commands are not grievous. Are you