BENEFITS TO LIVING LIKE GOD
"For the love of God is this, that we obey His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." 1 John 5:3, NRSV
This text is simply saying that Love = commandments. 1 John 4:8 say, “God is Love”. So this text states that the commandments are God’s character. So if we live by His commandments-His character, we will simply a live a godly life naturally, without effort and with joy. The text states that His commandments are not burdensome. Which means that living like God is a pleasure and quite enjoyable.
Matthew 5:17 records Jesus saying to the people that He came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it. How did He go about that? He spoke as recorded in Matthew 22:37-40 as to the purpose of the commandments and the focus. The first four have to do with worship and honor to God and the last six have to do with our loving relationship to others.
If we truly hold to Jesus’ words and also John, we would simply put God above all things in our lives and we would treat others kindly and lovingly. Sometimes we miss the mark because we are fallible and we make mistakes but Jesus wants us to keep pressing on. With His power (Phil 2:13) we will live just the way He calls us to.
What a great God we serve. He helps us to live like Him and gives us peace too when we do. (Psalm 119:165)
R. Denise Johnson