THE LOVE OF GOD IS NOT PRODUCTIVE OF GRIEF:-- "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous" (1 John 5:3). The love of sin, and the love of the world, sometimes produce momentary hilarity and transient pleasure, but in the end they always produce grief. The love of God in the keeping of His commandments is never grievous -- ever! One who loves God and keeps his commandments may suffer grief, but it can never be said that what God allows into his life is "grievous" in the sense of producing that which will bring him lasting and eternal remorse.
It is true that the writer to the Hebrews said that "no chastening [of God] for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Heb. 12:11), but I think that one should look at the words here "seemeth to be... grievous." Often, what now "seems" to be "grievous" in the Christian's life is actually designed of God to bring great and eternal joy in Heaven, if not later on earth. The author of the old hymn, "Your Roses May Have Thorns," wrote: "The trials that may often seem most bitter, may bring to you the joys that make you sing."
The devil declares that loving God and keeping his commandments is a grievous thing, while the things he offers will bring happiness and joy. The exact opposite is true. The love of God and the keeping of His commandments are not grievous, and produce at last, eternal joy and bliss, "though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations" (1 Pet 1:6 ).
No comments:
Post a Comment