Are the Lord's Commands Burdensome?

Bible Reading: 1 John 5:1-5

When we read the Ten Commandments (Ex 20) and the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:21-26) together, the Lord's commands seem too hard to do!  But the disciple John, the beloved disciple, seems to think that they are not burdensome!  The dictionary defines 'Burdensome' as 'difficult to carry out or fulfil'.   John says in 1 John 5:3, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.  And His commandments are not burdensome".  How can we understand this paradox?  Keeping His commandments is not a definition of the love of God, but it is the effect of the love of God upon us and how it is manifested by us.  Love which does not result in obedience to God's commandments is not true love.  We are not to love in word, neither with the tongue, but in action and in truth  (1 John 3:18).  

His commandments are not burdensome when we see how wise and good the commandments of God are.  They are gifts from Him to show us the best and most fulfilling life possible for us.  God's commands are like the 'manufacturer's handbook' for life.  Disobedience, when we are young, spoils our whole life.  But we don't realize it at that moment!  His commandments are not burdensome because when we are born again, we are given new hearts — hearts which, by instinct, wish to please God.  As part of the New Covenant, the law of God has been written on the heart of every believer (Jeremiah 31:33).  I was reading the Bible for reading sake until I got saved.  After that, I wanted to see what was written in the Bible, and so I read.  When I became a mature believer, I started reading to learn what God was teaching me, to understand and obey.  That's my experience!  His commandments are not burdensome when we love God.  We will want to obey Him and please Him out of our love for Him. When you love someone, it seems little trouble to go to great lengths to please that person.  The Bible says that because Jacob loved Rachel, the seven years he served Laban seemed like only a few days to him (Gen 29:20).  

My friend, obeying God's commands should not seem burdensome when we really love God!  He tells us what to do because He knows what is best for us.  God's commands are not given to bind or to pain us, but to direct us in the right way, guiding and reassuring us in our journey of faith.  

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I pray that I would love You so much that pleasing You would be my only goal in life.  Lord, help me.  Amen.