7 Reasons God’s Commands Are Not Burdensome
The following is an adapted excerpt from the appendix of Thomas Watson’s
Exposition on the Sermon on the Mount.
His commandments are not grievous [burdensome].
1 John 5:3
In the Sermon on the Mount, we see that Christ calls for poverty of spirit, purity of heart, meekness, mercifulness, and cheerfulness in the face of persecution, among other things. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled by these commands of Christ, I thought it would be good (as a conclusion to our study of the Sermon on the Mount) to dispel the presumptions and prejudices in men's hearts concerning obedience by this sweet, soothing Scripture, “His commandments are not burdensome.”
The censuring world objects to piety [holy living]—calling it difficult and irksome. “My, how tiresome it is!” (Malachi 1:13). Therefore, to invite and encourage us to obedience, the Lord illustrates Christianity in its fair colors and represents it to us as beautiful and pleasant, in these words: “His commandments are not grievous [burdensome].” This may well be called a sweetening ingredient put into Christianity and may serve to take off that severity and harshness which the lost world would claim about the ways of God.
What is meant by “not burdensome?”
The Greek word signifies that the commands are not tedious or heavy to bear. There is a train of thought in the words. “His commands are not grievous,” that is, they are easy, sweet, and excellent. So, observe that none of God’s commandments are burdensome when he calls us to be meek, merciful, and pure in heart.
[Because we are not fully sanctified, children of God will at times feel obedience is difficult. Our flesh will even cry out that it is impossible! If you are feeling this way, the following truths can help you practice joyful obedience.]
God’s commands are not burdensome if we first consider them positively, in these seven particulars:
1
A Christian willingly consents to God's commands;
therefore, they are not a heavy burden.
2
They are our dear Savior’s commands;
therefore, they are not a heavy burden.
3
Christians obey because they love God and others,
and so God's commandments are not a heavy burden.
4
A Christian is carried along by the help of the Holy Spirit,
and the Spirit makes every duty easy.
5
All Christ's commands are beneficial to us and to others,
so not burdensome.
6
It is honorable to be under Christ's command.
7
Christ's commands (when obeyed) are sweetened with joy,
so then they are not a burden.
Meet the author:
Thomas Watson
Thomas Watson was a 17th century Puritan preacher and author. Watson’s depth of doctrine, clarity of expression, warmth of spirituality, love of application, and gift of illustration enhanced his reputation as a preacher and writer.