Some claim that God’s Law is a burden and too hard to obey. However, God did not give the Law to be a burden.
The term translated as too difficult (pālāʾ) is in the niphal stem, which literally means “to be difficult or hard to accomplish physically, mentally, or ethically.” Out of reach (rāḥôq) means hard to understand. Hence, God’s Law is not hard to obey in any spectrum of life or hard to understand.
That God’s commands are not burdensome (barús) means that they are not hard, complicated or burdensome. Not only is the Law not hard or complicated, but God also provided it as a means to overcome temptation and sin. Jesus overcame temptation by quoting the Law (Matthew 4:4).
Notice Jesus said, “People shall live by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” He did not say to live by some of God’s Words but all of God’s Words.
God also gave His Law as a means by which humanity could demonstrate their love to Him (cf. Deuteronomy 30:11, 14). Nothing has changed, believers are still commanded to love God by obeying His commands.
Perhaps, the reason why churches feel the need to establish additional rules and checklists is that they have jettisoned the means of loving God — His Law.
- For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult (pālāʾ) for you, nor is it out of reach (rāḥôq). - Deuteronomy 30:11
The term translated as too difficult (pālāʾ) is in the niphal stem, which literally means “to be difficult or hard to accomplish physically, mentally, or ethically.” Out of reach (rāḥôq) means hard to understand. Hence, God’s Law is not hard to obey in any spectrum of life or hard to understand.
- For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome (barús). - 1 John 5:3
That God’s commands are not burdensome (barús) means that they are not hard, complicated or burdensome. Not only is the Law not hard or complicated, but God also provided it as a means to overcome temptation and sin. Jesus overcame temptation by quoting the Law (Matthew 4:4).
- But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. - Matthew 4:4
Notice Jesus said, “People shall live by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” He did not say to live by some of God’s Words but all of God’s Words.
God also gave His Law as a means by which humanity could demonstrate their love to Him (cf. Deuteronomy 30:11, 14). Nothing has changed, believers are still commanded to love God by obeying His commands.
- And He said to him, What is written in the Law? How does it read to you? And he answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. - Luke 10:26-27
Perhaps, the reason why churches feel the need to establish additional rules and checklists is that they have jettisoned the means of loving God — His Law.
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