I John 5:3 states that loving God means keeping his commandments or laws. This is rub for Christianity with non-believers, right? They believe if they become Christians, then God’s requirements for them will be difficult or a burden.
The truth is just like any good parent, God’s commands are not to punish us, but they are to protect us. All people need structure and boundaries in our lives. We can use God’s boundaries or we can use man’s ideas.
For this is loving God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.
I John 5:3
God’s laws and requirements mean we give up our selfish thinking and live for him. While it seems counterintuitive, I find the more I give up and follow Christ the happier I am.
When we follow worldly ideas away from God, we become entangled with so many difficulties. We frequently hear friends tell of problems and many times these problems result from not being obedient and following God’s plan for our lives.
Don’t buy the lie that if you live the Christian life, you are “giving up” life’s great joys when you obey God. Ask yourself, what have you really given up? Usually you give up an immediate pleasure, but you often avoid bigger problems in life.
When I was younger, I thought living the Christian life was about giving up things. Don’t accept the ideas that is God is taking something away from you when you live by his direction and in obedience to him. The opposite is actually true, God is giving you boundaries and protecting you.
Change your thinking. God is not taking anything you need away, God loves you and wants the best for you.
