In 1 John 5:3, we read, “For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a burden.” Yet contemporary believers have a great collection of phrases we use to dance around obedience. For example, it’s good to recognize a sin in your life and desire to be rid of it, but have you ever prayed, “Lord, make me willing to be willing”? If so, take a closer look at this phrase.

When you ask the Lord to make you willing to be willing, you’re saying that He can’t possibly expect you to obey until you feel like it. But do you really believe that it’s OK to postpone obedience until it no longer requires sacrifice? Until it no longer hurts? Until it’s as easy as sinning?

If you’re completely honest, you’ll see that praying this prayer is simply a diplomatic way of saying, “Lord, I hear what You’re asking, I know what You’d have me to do, but … .” You tremble at the thought of giving God a straightforward no, so instead you say, “I’m not willing — but I wish I were willing, and surely that’s good enough.”

The believer doesn’t get brownie points with God for recognizing sin, or for knowing he should obey, or for hoping that one day he will obey. The believer must simply obey.

Today, meditate on this truth: God’s instructions are simple and straightforward: “If you love Me, you will keep My commands” (John 14:15).