Loving God
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1John 5:3
This morning I had the privilege of witnessing three baptisms. These were full immersion baptisms of two adults and a teenaged girl. It was absolutely inspiring to listen to their testimonies. I cried as I heard of their love for God as these three talked about how God had interrupted their lives and made them considerably better!
As they were speaking I thought of this verse: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” John 5:3 All three, but especially the adults, gave testimony to running their own lives, one living in fear and one living to prove he could take care of himself. God’s ways and commandments were not attractive to them. Neither of them had an understanding of God’s love for them until He opened their eyes to the truth of His Son, Jesus and the Truth of His word.
My testimony is similar. Before I came to know the Lord I was self-centered and confident that I had it all under control. I had never – ever seen myself as a sinner but as a good person. I did all the right things. I was responsible, reliable, honest, loving….all you had to do was ask me and I could tell you how “good” I was.
When God showed me the truth of my sin and how far short of His standard I fell, I understood and I saw the Truth that there is a God and that He is aware of my every thought and deed. But I still didn’t know Him or His love for His people. He was inviting me into a relationship that would free me. I thought it would be a burdensome relationship with a list of rules I would have to follow.
I resisted the invitation. I actually objected, “Lord you don’t want me.” I thought my friends wouldn’t like me anymore. I was sure my husband would hate the idea of Christianity and I thought God would make me stop having any fun!
Clearly, I did not know the God of the Bible, the Holy Trinity, God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. As He continued to pursue me, not letting me get away with my objections, I came to see that His commands are anything but burdensome. Absolutely everything God does is out of love for us. It is faith in that truth that makes Him tell us to be thankful in all circumstances. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1Thessalonains 5:18
When we obey His commands and trust what His word tells us to be true about Him our lives will be peaceful and free of conflict – not human conflict, others may hate us when we obey God. But, deep in our own hearts and minds will be the peace that passes understanding because that’s what God offers His children who will wholeheartedly follow Him in all areas of life.
These are the words of Jesus from John 14:15-17, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
The commands of the Lord that seemed so burdensome before I knew the Lord God have become the source of my greatest joy. I know, without any doubt, that when I obey God He will bless me. And, I know that because He has sent His Helper, the Holy Spirit, to live in me, there is no command of His that I cannot keep – His strength will enable me. This verse clearly tells us that only the children of God, those with faith that Christ has paid the price for their sin, will have the advantage of the Holy Spirit.
God has given those who believe in Him great gifts in faith, the work of Jesus in paying for our sin, and the Holy Spirit to live in us and direct us. When people believe and make a clear and public statement of their faith and love for God, as these three did this morning, God is glorified. They obeyed Romans 10:9-10, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
God offered faith, they believed, and confessed with their mouths that Jesus is Lord – not just any Lord – but the Lord of their own lives. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” (John 7:38)
I believe others will want to know God because of the testimony of the three who professed their faith in Jesus Christ this morning. Is it any wonder that the angels rejoice when people profess this faith?