SCRIP-BITS

1 John 5:3.    For this is the LOVE of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
 
Oh Friends, today’s the big day; my mother’s funeral! The ole fella will be called on to be front and centre and show the example of walking with God that my mother displayed. Pray for me that I will walk worthy of both her and the Lord. By the way, the visitation went exceptionally well yesterday evening. A fair amount of friends and family showed up, some I’d only heard about but never met before. Everybody was happy with the way the ole girl looked; peaceful and calm, as though she was just napping and would wake up at any minute. The room was quite lively as many memories and reminiscences were shared. It will be even greater today, as there will be more people. Thankfully too, nobody said or did anything to upset me, so I came out smelling like a rose. (smile) Let’s hope I can do as well today, seeing that there will be a bigger crowd, and thus more opportunity to be antagonized. But I’m leaving all of that in the Lord’s hands. I’m just going there to celebrate the life and times of my dear departed mother, and whatever happens happens. I know it will be a wonderful celebration anyway! And really, all we can do on this earth is what our Bit says: ‘For this is the LOVE of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (burdensome).’  Yes my brethren, once we sincerely try to follow God’s commandments, which basically boils down to walking in LOVE, then we’ll be all right. As John says earlier in his first epistle, when talking about the true tests of knowledge: ‘And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.’ (1 John 2:3) That’s gospel Friends! We can only truly know God if we do as he desires. And in verse 6, John spells it out even clearer: ‘He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.’ (1 John 2:6) And isn’t that the living truth people! Though we can’t walk as sinless as Jesus walked on earth, His followers are indeed required to replicate to a great degree His devotion to His Father and to show much compassion to others. And as we saw yesterday, and it’s worthy to be repeated today, Jesus told His disciples: ‘If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments.’ (John 14:15) Yes my people, those are some of the most important words Jesus ever spoke. Just like in every organization, unless we follow the dictates of the leadership, we can’t be considered true followers of the organization. And what really amazes me is that people are so afraid to embrace and accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour because they consider His rules and regulations to be too hard and difficult to follow. Hogwash! Because Friends, it’s the exact opposite, as the last part of our Bit truthfully declares: ‘and his commandments are not grievous (burdensome).’ Jesus Himself said so: ‘For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.’ (Matt.11:30) Meanwhile, of the scribes and Pharisees, of the earthly church organizations, He declared: ‘For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne (had to bear), and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.’ (Matt.23:4) That’s an indisputable fact! It happened back then, and unfortunately it’s still happening today! Many of the church leaders expect a lot from their congregations, but refuse to do the same things as they should, preferring to live above it all, in ease, ungodliness and hypocrisy. That’s why there are so many sad scandals in the church leadership these days. But my brethren, though Jesus’ expectations of His followers are high, the rules are simple and not hard to abide by if we sincerely desire to be His followers. Listen to Micah tell it: ‘He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to LOVE mercy (LOVING-kindness), and walk humbly with thy God?’ (Mic.6:8) That’s all that’s required of us Friends; doing good, showing kindness and justice while walking humbly with God. That’s not onerous at all, unless your heart is dead set on evil! So come on people, let’s get really serious about Jesus nuh, about truly being His followers, by pulling up our socks and raising the level of our LOVE Walk. He’s depending on us to change the world, to spread the good news of His Death, Resurrection and Ascension to the entire world, selfless actions that have provided the greatest gifts available on earth; the unsurpassable benefits of salvation and eternal life. So please, I implore us, let’s not let Him down nuh. Much LOVE!…do good…walk good…talk good…live good…that’s the true Christian’s duty…