I John 2:3-6 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk, even as he walked.”
God wants his children to have joy. Even though your circumstances in this world may seem miserable, God still wants you to have joy. Everyone has some amount of trouble and trial in their life but no matter the circumstances you can still have joy. This goes against our human reasoning because we think that joy only comes when there are no problems to solve, no trials to face, in other words, no worries. (This is where you say “HAKUNA – MATATA!”) Everyone wants a “trouble-free” or “problem-free” life. However, joy is a virtue that has to be sought out. Real joy is a matter of perspective.
Our flesh also wants to live a “rule-free” life. We don’t mind if everyone else has rules imposed upon them so long as we are the exception to the rule. We don’t mind telling others how they ought to behave, as long as we can behave however we want in any circumstance. The problem with that is God is not a respecter of persons. In a world where everyone wants “equal rights”, if you are free to be the exception to the rule, then I am equally free to make myself exempt from them as well. In such a case, there are NO RULES. God has a better plan. He wants us to follow the rules and guidelines that Jesus gave us. There are the Ten Commandments. They were given as a way to teach us and bring us to Jesus. The Bible calls them “our schoolmaster.” Once we have come to know Christ as Saviour, we are under grace. NOT that there are no longer standards or rules for the Christian. Lots of people like to say, “I’m not under law, I’m under grace” as an excuse to live their life any way they want to. Grace requires greater sacrifice than the law did. First Thessalonians chapter five gives a list of OVER twenty exhortations, or commandments if you will, to the Christian.
Every society is regulated with rules. These rules are not meant to be a burden they are there for our safety and protection. Just as parents set rules for their children, God has set rules for the Christian. Parents NEED to do this for their kids, as much as the kids NEED the rules. Jesus is our example. We want to do OUR will. But Jesus wanted to do his FATHER’S will. When we follow the rules there is true happiness, and holiness. Third John, verse four says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” How can you walk in truth, if there are no rules?
There are always going to be “copy-cats & imitators” in the world. It is easy to pretend to be something you are not. But the Bible calls us a “liar” when we do that. If we are going to imitate anybody, it should be Jesus! There is always help, there is always hope, there is always happiness for the person who is willing to tell the truth. For example, if a lame man, in the presence of Jesus, pretends that he can walk, who is he fooling? Or perhaps a blind man pretends he can see, what does that profit him when The One who can heal him is right there? They had to admit they needed help. The same goes for the lost person, or the backslidden Christian. The only way to be healed or restored is to admit your condition. When we lie about who and what we really are we separate ourselves from the help that can bring us REAL JOY. Only the truth makes free. (John 8:32) Jesus is that Truth.
