(Text Only)
Title: Not Burdensome???
Do you ever think your Bible has a misprint?
I spend a fair amount of time in this book every week, and I admit, every now and then I’ll read something and think…now…that can’t be right.
And I’ll scramble online for another English translation, then I’ll look at the Greek, then I’ll read commentaries. Then I’ll call friends and colleagues.
And then, I’ll resign myself to the fact that the Sprit has brought something to my attention that I must consider, and must wrestle with.
This was the case this week when I sat down to prepare today’s study. I couldn’t get past the statement that John makes in I John 5:3 “And his commandments are not burdensome.”
I quickly thought of some quick explanations:
- John was so holy, and had all the advantages of walking with Christ, that it was easier to find joy in obedience.
- It was easier to be Christian in God’s time because there just were not as many distractions. (you think the first century Christians would have traded the daily threat of death for the daily temptation of an xbox?)
- John’s at the end of his life, and this is the conclusion he’s come to after tasting everything life has to offer.
But none of those explanations pleased me. Because they were all about making the teaching easier, taking away the “bite.” So I sighed, broke out all my exegetical resources, including prayer, and prepared this lesson.
(read and pray)
- “And His commandments are not burdensome”
Really? Show of hands, how many of you would say once a month you are burdened with one of God’s commands? Essentially, it’s a challenge to keep that command. Wait, before you answer, I just happened to think of a few commands that tend to be a challenge for me.
- “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” (Jesus, in Matthew 5:30)
Anyone ever struggle with this? Could you signify by raising your right hand? (Thought so.)
- But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. (Jesus, in Luke 6:35)
Ever grit your teeth, swallow your pride, and love your enemy…and then secretly you pat yourself on your spiritual back and wait for your reward?
- But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Jesus in Matthew 5:39)
So, how in the world can John proclaim that Jesus’ commands are not burdensome?
(Take answers)
Here’s my thought, it has to do with what we talked about at the close of last weeks sermon. Often, our prayer needs just a little adjustment to see great results.
Will will pray: “Lord make me do what you want me to do.”
And that’s fine. It’s a good prayer, but I think we’d see more fruit if this prayer was prayed and then answered by God.
A better prayer: “Lord, make me WANT to do what you want me to do.”
That one little word can mean so much. We will be the most contented people when we are so in tune with God’s will, so satisfied with his desire for us, that the natural overflow of our desire is exactly what God would want for us.
If this is the case, then truly Jesus commands are not only not burdensome, they are a literal joy to obey.
IF our obedience is willful, it will also naturally be joyful, because we are, by design, seeking and receiving the greater gifts of God.
In other words: If you are “dialed in” there is an amazing contentment in abiding in God’s will.
Also (and I credit John Piper for impressing this upon me) there is a great result when I am willfully, joyfully abiding in God…God is most glorified in me at that moment.
“God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him.” John Piper.
Let me close with this motivating thought. If the point of our existence is bring glory to God, and God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, and we are most satisfied in him when we are willfully and joyfully abiding in his commands, and if there is no greater joy in life then experiencing God, then why would would ever choose anything but God’s plan for us?
Nothing can give us more joy than doing what we were designed to do.
Nothing gives Him more glory than us doing what we were designed to do.
If we can put those two thoughts together, then I am convince we can join John’s proclamation this morning and say, truly, truly His commands are not burdensome! Amen?
Q/A