7-25-07 1 John 5:3, 4

1 John 5:3, 4 (NAS)
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:3, 4 (Philips)
For loving God means obeying his commands, and these commands of his are not burdensome. In fact, this faith of ours is the only way in which the world can be conquered.

Because He first loved you, now you love Adonai the Lord with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength. He has made you content and well pleased with your life. You love Him dearly and have deep affection for Him. You are completely devoted to Him.

The most important way that you can show the Lord your God how much you love Him is to keep His commandments. You should carefully attend to His precepts, observing everything He says. You view His word with interest, taking note of each little detail. And you have discovered that keeping His laws are not burdensome or severe.

Because you are born of the seed of the word of God, you have received faith to believe Him and what His word says. He has told you that you are more than a conqueror and through Him you are victorious. You have held fast to your faith even in the midst of temptations, persecutions, and the fear of death. It is your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that causes you to overcome and prevail over the world. It makes you persevere in trials without faltering. And your faith also lets you receive every promised blessing.

Therefore, continue to observe and keep God's word. As you do, your faith will continue to be strengthened and you will continue overcoming the world.