God's Commands Are LIBERATING!

"Don't touch the hot stove"
"Play nice"
"Don't run into the street"

These are commands for a child.
They are commands that are, for that child, limitations and gifts.
While, these commands are demanding structure and obedience,
they secure safety and deliverance from the death in those dangers.

To Mom and Dad, these commands are not burdensome for the child to obey.
Because they have wisdom and understanding to see the consequences of not abiding by them.
But not all children understand what their moms mean when they say,
"I love you - listen to me.  Not just because I want you to - but because it's what is best for you."

Don't you wish all children could understand those words from their parents?
I do.

1 John 5:3 "This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome..."

This does not say: 'When we obey God, we need to obey Him without being burdened.' If it did say that - then we would be saying things like: "We should not be obedient in a bad way, but in a good way."

.....that just hurts my head.

The message in this verse has nothing to do with how we obey, but how we understand God's commands.  And the truth is found in that verse: "His commands are not burdensome."

So why do we still feel burdened so much of the time when we are truly trying to live up to God's standards?  It's because of lies.  The lies from the enemy.

The devil can twist these words (1 John 5:3) to burden us with this task: the task of being sure that we are not burdened.

...that hurts my head too.

IT IS A LIE!  True peace and wholeness (being "not burdened") is a gift from God - not something we can 'burden' ourselves with attaining.

That gift is His Liberating love.
His liberating commands!
"This is love for God: to obey His commands."

God's commands (love) are not burdensome.
God's commands (love) bring peace and rest.
God's commands (love) are a gift. Like good advice.
...
Much like the commands that good mothers and fathers give to their children.
...
Hmm.