Loving God
We all need to understand the nature of what it means to love God. I John 5:3 explains it well, "For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome." I hope you can see the progression of thought through this verse. Let me lay it out.
If we love God, we will keep His commandments. We will not keep them out of obligation, but because we love Him. When we love another person, it is natural for us to do what they ask us to do. We even do more than they ask, because of our love. This is true for the Lord as well.
Then, we will see that His commands are not a burden to keep, because we do them out of love and not obligation. This is the nature of real love.
Therefore, how can you check your love for God? Look at His commands; abide in His Word, pray without ceasing, love the brethren and love your enemies, share the Gospel with others, make disciples, love your wife, submit to your husband, and do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together with other believers for worship, to name just a few. Are any of those things burdensome to you? if so, it is a love problem. Obedience problems are love problems. Make sure you love the Lord with all your heart, and your obedience will be just fine.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jude and Revelation 1-2.
If we love God, we will keep His commandments. We will not keep them out of obligation, but because we love Him. When we love another person, it is natural for us to do what they ask us to do. We even do more than they ask, because of our love. This is true for the Lord as well.
Then, we will see that His commands are not a burden to keep, because we do them out of love and not obligation. This is the nature of real love.
Therefore, how can you check your love for God? Look at His commands; abide in His Word, pray without ceasing, love the brethren and love your enemies, share the Gospel with others, make disciples, love your wife, submit to your husband, and do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together with other believers for worship, to name just a few. Are any of those things burdensome to you? if so, it is a love problem. Obedience problems are love problems. Make sure you love the Lord with all your heart, and your obedience will be just fine.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jude and Revelation 1-2.