Resources/Articles
This Is For Your Own Good
If a son of an Israelite were to ask, “What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Jehovah our God commanded” (Deuteronomy 6:20), the answer to be given would be v. 24: “And Jehovah commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear Jehovah our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as at this day.”
At times, a child might not always understand the instructions from his parents. Quite often there are a lot of questions a child might ask beginning with the word “WHY?” Sometimes, a parent may say, “Because I said so” or “Just because” or “That’s the way it is.”
Is it our lot to try and figure out why God said one man for one woman is marriage (Matthew 19:4-6), love one another (1 John 4:7-11), repent and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), drunkenness is sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), or there is one church (Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:4)? NO! Our responsibility is to know whatever God commands is for our own good. We should believe it and reconcile ourselves to obey what He calls for us to do. There should be no hesitation, excuse, or examination made of God’s statutes before we act upon them.
Following what God has commanded is for our own good, because, as His creation, God knows what we need. To forsake, abuse, or alter what God says will bring severe consequences (Proverbs 13:15). Therefore, you and I do not need to consult the majority nor our friends to determine if what we should do is for our own good. Only God matters. What matters to God is love for Him and obedience to His word. Looking at what God wants for me will help me view His law as something I get to do and love to do without regret or shame. If I do what is my duty to do, I leave it up to God to work His will in me for my good - always (Philippians 3:13).
