1 John 5:3
Keeping God's commandments is an evidence of love to God, and those who have the love of God shed abroad in them will find His ways pleasant and His paths peaceful.
John Gill emphasizes that true love for God is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments, which should not be seen as burdensome but rather as a joyful expression of faith. He explains that love is not merely a verbal profession but is shown in actions and truth, reflecting a deep sense of God's love in our lives. Gill reassures believers that, despite the challenges of the moral law, those who are in Christ find delight in following His commands, experiencing peace and communion with God.
Text
Ver. 3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments,....
Keeping of the commandments of God is an evidence of love to God; this shows that love is not in word and tongue, in profession only, but in deed and in truth; and that such persons have a sense of the love of God upon their souls, under the influence of which they act; and such shall have, and may expect to have, greater manifestations of the love of God unto them:
and his commandments are not grievous; heavy, burdensome, and disagreeable; by which are meant, not so much the precepts of the moral law, which through the weakness of the flesh are hard to be kept, and cannot be perfectly fulfilled; though believers indeed, being freed from the rigorous exaction, curse, and condemnation of the law, delight in it after the inward man, and serve it cheerfully with their spirit; and still less the commands of the ceremonial law, which were now abolished, and were grievous to be borne; but rather those of faith in Christ, and love to the saints, 1Jo 3:23; or it may be the ordinances of the Gospel, baptism, and the Lord's supper, with others, which though disagreeable to unregenerate persons, who do not care to be under the yoke of Christ, however easy and light it is, yet are not heavy and burdensome to regenerate ones; and especially when they have the love of God shed abroad in them, the presence of God with them, communion with Jesus Christ, and a supply of grace and strength from him; then are these ways ways of pleasantness, and paths of peace, and the tabernacles of the Lord are amiable and lovely.
Sermon Outline
- The Evidence of God's Love
- Keeping God's Commandments
- A Deed, Not Just a Profession
- A Sense of God's Love on the Soul
Key Quotes
“Keeping of the commandments of God is an evidence of love to God; this shows that love is not in word and tongue, in profession only, but in deed and in truth;” — John Gill
“and such shall have, and may expect to have, greater manifestations of the love of God unto them:” — John Gill
“then are these ways ways of pleasantness, and paths of peace, and the tabernacles of the Lord are amiable and lovely.” — John Gill
Application Points
- We should strive to keep God's commandments as an evidence of our love for Him.
- Having the love of God shed abroad in us makes His ways pleasant and His paths peaceful.
- Regenerate ones will find the ordinances of the Gospel easy and light, not heavy and burdensome.