Keeping
Today’s Scripture Selection: First John 5:3
“This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.”
Keeping the Commandments – it can be a tall order.
Much of the Bible is the story of how people have tried; failed; tried again – and so on. And even those who have been able to keep some of the Commandments – ultimately admit – as Paul put it: they have “fallen short” of the glory of God.
That’s why we need that thing Christians sing about when they sing “Amazing Grace.” Because none of us are perfect; none of us keep God’s Commandments perfectly.
On the other hand, we are to try our best to keep them. Of that, I am sure.
So why does John say “His commands are not burdensome”?
I think it is because for John, keeping God’s commands – or at least trying to do so – is so tied up with loving God and being loved by Him.
It’s about the relationship between God as Heavenly Father, and us, his earthly – but heaven bound – children.
Loving God and doing what God says are intimately; completely related to one another.
So, difficult or not, we try our best.
We pray. We listen. We ask for guidance. We ask for second or third chances. We ask for as many chances as we need. We ask for forgiveness. We ask for grace.
And we try, again and again, to keep God’s commands.
We won’t succeed perfectly. But somehow, I think God knows that already.
Like any loving parent feels about his or her kids – it’s enough that we try.
Prayer: Lord, help me to express my love for you by doing what you say I should do. And forgive me when I don’t. AMEN.
IGW3 - In God's Word, In God's Will, In God's Work 