Do you keep His Commandments?

There is a great story my Pastor, Mike Fabarez tells of his childhood. He was a latch-key kid after school until his parents came home from work. His mom would leave a list of chores to be finished by the time she got home. Sure, Mike and his brother would play around all afternoon until it was about 30 minutes before Mom got home. Then they would rush around and do all the things she asked them to complete. If they didn’t, punishment would be their lot, and if they finished it all, that was what was to be expected.

Did you know God left us a list of things to do before He returns? It’s the Bible. His commands are plain and clear. Could you imagine telling your mom “Hey Mom, sorry I didn’t do what you asked me, I was busy.” or how about “I glanced at it but thought you wanted someone else to do it.” or my favorite, “I read the first line and it was too hard so I gave up.” I don’t know about you, but my Mom would have spanked me with the wooden spoon. Do you think God will be less of a judge to you when He returns?

There is another analogy I think about when I really want to put God in perspective.

If I punched my Mom, I would get grounded.
If I punched my Boss, I would get fired.
If I punched a Police Officer, I would get put in jail.
If I punched the President, I would get shot.
If I punched God, I would get “Oh, that’s OK little human, I’ll forgive you.” ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I would get pulverized and then get eternal damnation.

I think it is safe to say that we should consider our view of God as above all others when we flagrantly say, “His Word is too lengthy to read, and there are way too many do’s and don’ts to follow.” or “It is all too hard and I don’t like some of the things He wants me to do.” How would those statements go over with your Mom when you were 5? Consider the following verses in light of your own salvation.

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. – 1 John 2:3-6 (ESV)

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith. – 1 John 5:3-4 (ESV)