"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 "good" or "benefit" (Psalm 68:19; Psalm 103:2; Psalm 116:12). His commands are "not" to be considered that which is "grievous" (1 John 5:3 KJV; cf. Lamentations 3:33; Micah 6:8 KJV).

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" (cf. Deuteronomy 10:12-13; 1 John 2:1-6).

Since the Garden of Eden, sin has always been an ever-present malady for mankind (Romans 3:10-12,23), but there is a remedy for sin. That remedy has to do with our being obedient to the inspired words [associate the term "bread" in Matthew 4:4 with the phrase, "every word"] of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (cf. John 6:25-63).

These inspired words include commands that must be obeyed, if we are to life eternal (John 6:63; cf. Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12). Even though we are frail human beings with a propensity to sin (Psalm 78:19-39), can we be obedient to God's commands that have been provided for our benefit and good — "for our good always?

Yes, through Christ we can (Philippians 4:13; cf. 1 John 2:1-6). Also compare Matthew 4:4; Psalm 119:11).

 —Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets