“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
–John 14:21
When I was a child, we had a plot of land right behind our house that we turned into a baseball field. All the neighborhood kids would play there every afternoon before dinner. But one day, the electric company came in and turned part of that piece of land into a power relay station.
Now there was still enough room on that land for us to play baseball. But all around the lot, they put up huge signs that said, “No Trespassing.” How could the electric company do that to us? We deserved to have that field, they stole it away, and now, they wouldn’t even share it with us!
Though it took time, I realize now the power company put up those signs not because they didn’t like us, but to keep us from being electrocuted. And that’s exactly why God gives us rules as well – to keep us from being harmed by sin.
Sin is more dangerous than any electric shock. Yet many become bitter at God for the rules He gives, not knowing they’re really there to keep them safe. So when God says “No,” remember it’s for your best, and trust He’s looking out for your ultimate joy!
PURSUE OBEDIENCE TO GOD, KNOWING IT WILL KEEP YOU FROM HARM AND ULTIMATELY GIVE YOU JOY!
