“He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.” Proverbs 19:16
When I read this passage, I think of John’s words in I John 5: “His commandments are not grievous.” This is the attitude each child of God needs to constantly maintain in relation to God’s authority over our lives. God is good; therefore, His words are good. God is love; therefore, His commands arise out of His love for us and concern for our well-being. God is wise; therefore, His commands contain the best possible wisdom for our lives. God hates evil; therefore, His commands are void of evil. This list could continue through a number of additional realities about God’s commands. The bottom line is: God’s commands bring peace and life to those who from a heart of faith seek to follow them. Perhaps it is a good time to reevaluate how you view God’s commands. They are not restrictive; they are not meant to kill joy. In fact, they are the very opposite. As the song says, “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word…”