When you delight in God, his commandments are in no way a burden. Following him should be joyful and happy-hearted instead.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada. Are you obliged to obey God? Is it your duty to follow him? There’s a verse in John 14, where Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Some Christians read this as, “Now if you love me, you will obey all the rules.” As though Jesus were claiming that love for him is the same as rule keeping. But it’s not; there is a huge difference between the two. When you love God, you are so satisfied and happy in him, so delighted in all that he is that his commandments are in no way a drudgery. To love God is to be so happy in him that you really would rather follow the Lord in obedience than disobey. It is not a matter of duty. Obedience becomes a joyful, happy-hearted willingness to do simply what he says – simply because you love him. Delight yourself in God today and following him will be anything but a burden.
© Joni and Friends