Obey His Commands

Why do we think God's rules are designed to strip all the fun out of life? Perhaps for the same reason that kids think their parents' job is to make their lives miserable.
We don't think of ourselves as children, but from God's perspective, that's exactly what we are (see John 1:12). Why is an indignant attitude toward God's commands childish?

• We see what look like fun-temptation has a beautiful face-but God sees the misery it would bring us. 

• We don't fully trust God. We suspect that he's holding out on us. 

• When God draws the line, we manipulate and stretch the rules to place a single toe over it. 

• We think God is trying to rein us in from experiencing all of life when in reality he is lovingly protecting us from dangers we're not smart enough to avoid. 

 If only we could see. If only we could see the suffering that our choices bring. If only we could see the lifelong consequences we'll face. If only we would take God's commands to heart. If only we'd take him at his Word.

God wants us to respond to him with obedience, but not out of a sense of duty, resentment or compliance (see Isaiah 29:13). Not because he is a cosmic control freak. And not because keeping rules can earn his approval. God wants us to obey him for the love of him (see 1 John 5:3).
Once we move from rule-keeping to a relationship with God based on love, we'll see his commands in a different light.

"God's will is what you would choose for your own life, if you had sense enough to choose it."
-Anonymous

{Deuteronomy 28:2}
You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God.

{Matthew 11:30}
For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

{John 14:15}
“If you love me, obey my commandments."

{Hebrews 12:10-11}

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.  

11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.