And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
I John 3:22-23 KJV
I John 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
Grievous means to “cause intense mental anguish, deep remorse, or acute sorrow.”
We serve a God of love. Because He’s omniscient (knows everything) and full of wisdom, He never makes mistakes. Therefore, He knows what’s best for us. So keeping His commandments would cause us no pain or regret. because God only wants the very best for His children.
So then, why don’t we keep them?
Although we don’t mind giving orders, we usually don’t like taking them? Why is that? Because we want to make our own decisions, and we don’t like someone else telling us what to do. Children rebel against their parents’ authority. Wives resist submitting to their husbands. Employees don’t appreciate their employers giving them instructions on their job. A lot of people break the law. And no one likes to obey God.
We want control – of our decisions, of our lives, of our destinies – and to obey someone else means that they are calling the shots. Therefore, we feel like they have the control. And we don’t like it, not even if that someone is God.
But everybody has to answer to somebody. Do you expect your children to obey regardless of whether or not they like your rules? Of course, you do. Those rules are in place for a reason, even when your children don’t recognize their value. And God is no different. Because He loves us, He wants us to do right, so He gave us some important commandments to honor and obey.
I John 3:22 says, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” It pleases God when we obey Him with a right attitude, so He delights in answering our prayers.
I John 3:23 says, “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”
Those are two simple commandments: to believe on the name of God’s Son, Jesus, and to love each other. If you do those two things, you will please God. And when you please God, He will hear your prayer.