Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. -1 John 5:1-3
I am struck by much the same thoughts as yesterday, a confirmation that I am on the right track I guess you could say. Do you think about other believers that way; as a child born of God? I cannot say that this is a perfect example, but I was thinking about what a Mama Bear I can be when it comes to my children. Basically, don’t mess with my kids or you mess with me. Now that is when the outside world tries to mess with them, but how do I respond when my kiddos do not treat one another well. It was just not going to fly in my home-we love one another there-no room for treating one another in any unkind, unloving way. Just imagine how God views our lack of love for fellow believers. Love God and Love your neighbor, that is the sum of the commandments He has given us. I am not at all sure about that last part of verse three though, “and His commandments are not burdensome.” I do have to say that since praying about the person who has come into my life, that one who is a bit prickly around the edges, I do feel like a weight has been lifted. Of course that is easy to say from the comfort of my chair-we will see how it goes when we are face to face again later. But I suppose that when we agree with God about what needs to be done, when the Spirit is at work creating within us a clean heart and supplying all that I lack on my own, well then the burden is indeed lighter. I was weighed down by my attitude before, and that is no longer the case.
Grace, Peace, and Mercy,