25 Oct 2012
I John 5:3
I John 5:3: “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
This is a theme that we’ve seen numerous times in this book. It is a critical doctrine: we show our love for God by obeying His commandments. If we do not obey God then we are showing that we have no love for Him. You cannot say “I love God” and then say “God, I refuse to obey You”. Genuine love for God results in obedience. If there is no obedience then there is no love for God, and if there is no love for God then there is no salvation either. You cannot be saved and spend your entire life hating God.
Now, I am not talking about obeying the Mosaic Law. As the apostle Paul made quite clear, the Church is not under the Law. It does not apply to us in any way, shape, or form. That being said, there are commandments in the New Testament that are directed at the Church, and those we are to obey. Now, we do not earn salvation by obeying them because salvation is not of works. But we are commanded to obey them all the same, and those who are real Christians will obey them out of a love for God.