1 John 5 - 2.18.25

SCRIPTURE:  1 John 5:3-5 “This is love for God: to obey His commands.  And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

OBSERVATION:  John’s concern for the believers was for them to know that keeping God’s commands is not a burden, but a blessing, EVEN while going through very difficult circumstances! The apostle Paul modeled this so well!  Even when he was afflicted, and while he was facing extraordinary persecutions, because of his commitment to God, no matter what he went through, he never lost focus on how God had shown him such incredible grace and mercy in spite of him being the worst of sinners.

He had once been a persecutor of Christians, even approving their death because of his ignorance, but when God revealed Himself to him on that Damascus road, it was God’s mercy and grace that changed Paul’s heart and motivated him to not only become a Christ follower, but to live AND die for Christ. 

It was BECAUSE of God’s grace and mercy that Paul wrote in Romans 12:1,2 that we should present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.

APPLICATION: When I was born-again, I became free to live for God, and free to please God.  The reason I am not able to sin “comfortably” anymore is because I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind, and I am now able to discern the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (It is to walk according to His will), AND the Holy Spirit gives me all the help I need to be able to do that as I call out, and depend on Him.

I am human, and I will fail Him from time to time, but God is willing to forgive me, and to restore me back into right relationship with Him when I turn from my sins and ask for His forgiveness, because of His great love for me.

PRAYER:  I pray God’s commands will never be a burden to me, but a great blessing!  In view of all He’s done for me, and because of the mercies He’s shown me, I pray I will always remember and be motivated by His love. What a great privilege it is to follow His commands! Amen

- Robin Orefice