Everything "For Our Good Always"

As followers of Christ, we often find some of the commandments of God difficult to incorporate into our lives and everyday living. Some of our Lord’s followers in the first century thought the very same thing (cf. Matthew 19:1-25; John 6:24-66).

However, we need to understand that when God issues a command to us, it is “always” for our “benefit” (Psalm 68:19; Psalm 103:2; Psalm 116:12) and "good" — not to be considered that which is “grievous” (1 John 5:3; cf. Lamentations 3:33; Micah 6:8).

Note the inspired words of Moses in Deuteronomy 6:24-25:

“And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us” (also see Deuteronomy 10:12-13; 1 John 2:1-6).

Even though we are frail human beings, with a propensity to sin (cf. Exodus 9:27; Exodus 10:16; Numbers 22:34; Joshua 7:20; 1 Samuel 15:24,30; 2 Samuel 12:13; 2 Samuel 24:10; Psalm 41:4; Micah 7:9; Matthew 27:4; Luke 15:21) , can we be obedient to God’s commands that have been provided for our benefit and good?

Yes, "through Christ" we can (Philippians 4:13; cf. 1 John 2:1-6).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets