James Nisbet Commentary - 1 John 5:3 - 5:3

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James Nisbet Commentary - 1 John 5:3 - 5:3


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THE TEST OF LOVE

‘For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.’

1Jn_5:3

There are presented to us in these few words two salient features of our Christian life.

I. Its loftiest level.—‘As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.’ As we love, we are. The height of our affection is the measure of our soul. How, then, can we rise higher than when we ‘love God with all our heart and with all our minds?’

II. Its constant manifestation.—A true affection which is inoperative is simply inconceivable; or, if it be conceivable, it is utterly worthless. And, of necessity, the form which love’s activity will take must depend upon the object of it. The love of a child issues in tender guardianship, of a pupil in patient teaching, of a friend in close fellowship and unfailing sympathy. The love of God, of Jesus Christ, will manifest itself in keeping His commandments; or, in other words, in doing and bearing His holy will.



THE EASY YOKE

‘His commandments are not grievous.’

1Jn_5:3

Here we see the restfulness of the Christian life. There is no real burden in Christ’s commandments, for, as He said, His yoke is easy; His burden light. There is both a negative and a positive aspect to this question.

I. The negative aspect.—The commandments of Christ are not burdensome—

(a) By reason of their number. It might have been—it has been, and is so elsewhere. But ‘the kingdom of God is not meat and drink’; it is an indwelling spirit; it is a guiding and governing principle.

(b) By reason of their nature. Had our Lord required of us a number of duties which had no apparent bearing on our own or on others’ well-being, these would have become irksome and oppressive to our spirit.

(c) Because of their considerateness. Christ does not demand of us anything we are not well able to render.

II. The positive aspect.—There is no grievance or trouble about our Lord’s requirements because—

(a) Everything is inspired by love and hope. Our service is the service of love; not of constraint, but of affection.

(b) Apart from God and from His service there is no rest.

Peace! perfect peace! by thronging duties pressed?

To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.