1 John 5:3 - For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
Lexie was a faithful dog companion to me for many years. To describe the breed she was, you would say a Pedigree Heinz 57 would be the description. As she was growing out of the puppy stage, I noticed she was a bit boisterous and it was clear she had a mind of her own. I had a bash at training her the best I could, but after a few failures, thought it best to seek advice. On doing so I was advised to take her to obedience classes and as she mixed with other dogs, she would adapt and be ok.
I listened to the suggestions and took her to obedience classes. What an unbelievable difference! She responded to the classes like nothing on earth and was so obedient to the stage that it was suggested by the course leader that she enter competitions. This we did and she began to win prizes and rosettes for the way she was performing. Lexie was being recognised as a success story.
Trouble was though, the good behaviour and prizewinning stopped whenever we left the premises to go outside. The dog must have thought; “The course leader isn’t here, it is just me and him, so everything that has been taught in class no longer applies!” The dog must have registered what she had to do when we entered the building and when we came out, she’d worked out it didn’t really matter anymore.
We can be a bit like that ourselves.
Our verse for today says: This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
Obedience to God’s commands is the true sign of your love for God, and the only way you can know if you are obeying God is by knowing his Word. We should obey the commandments of Christ not as fearful slaves, but as loving children of God, trusting in the one who created us to be in communion with Himself!
We are learning from our Heavenly Father every day, and this reminds me of a hymn written by Benjamin Ramsey in 1919:
Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way!
Thy guiding grace afford, teach me Thy way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;
Lead me with heav’nly light, teach me Thy way!
When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way!
When storms o’erspread the skies, teach me Thy way!
Shine through the cloud and rain, through sorrow, toil, and pain;
Make Thou my pathway plain, teach me Thy way!
Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way!
Where’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way!
Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,
Until the crown is won, teach me Thy way!
Our learning from God isn’t meant just for Sundays. It is a continual moment by moment experience. Ask God to show you something new today.
Tom Bonnar
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