John wrote, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)

John had been beaten for loving God. John who had watched his friends martyred, John who had been exiled, wrote, “And His commandments are not burdensome.”

What?
How could John say this?

This John, this man, wrote at the risk of his very life, “to keep the commands is not burdensome”.

How could John really mean this?

He meant it, for though John had been shackled by earthly chains, he was the freest of free because of his love and trust of God.

His eye remained on the prize of loving and knowing Christ.

He had heard the Savior say, “ If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

John believed keeping the commandments were not only, not burdensome, but brought forth joy!

John believed the words he had heard Jesus say about joy -“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11)

Full JOY!

John had hard days but he also had FULL JOY! And we can have it too! And when we have it, others will want it! Full joy is contagious!

May the lost among us see the JOY in us!

One of my children walked as a prodigal for many years. As he talked with us after he had “come home” and surrendered his life to follow Jesus, he explained, “I got to thinking that the happiest people I know follow Jesus; and I thought, what am I doing?”

Oh friend! May we follow the Lord and walk in the freedom and joy that comes from that! May others see that and be drawn to that!! And may our Lord be glorified!

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Note – this is a continuation of my study of 1 John. Go to this page on Facebook or kimjaggers.com to see other posts on this wonderful book of the Bible.