LEARN FROM GOD'S WORD-How Do God's Laws Benefit us?

1. Why should we obey God? 

      It is only right to obey God-he created us. Even Jesus always obeyed God.  (John 6:38; Revelation 4:11)  God's laws give us a way to prove that we love him. -Read 1 John 5:3. 

      All of Jehovah God's laws are good for us. They teach us the best way of live now and show  how we can give everlasting rewards in the future. -Read Psalm 19:7, 11; Isaiah 48:17, 18. 

2. How do God's laws benefit our health?

      God's laws against drunkenness protects us from deadly disease and accidents. Over drinking is addictive  and leads to foolish conduct.  (Proverbs 23:20, 29, 30)  Jehovah  allows us to drink alcohol but only in moderation.  Read Psalm 104:15; 1 Corinthians 6:10. 

    Jehovah also warns us against jealously, uncontrolled anger, and other destructive attitudes. To the extent that we apply his advice, our health will benefit. -Read Proverbs 14:30; 22:24, 25. 

3. How can God's law protect us?

     God's law forbids sex outside of marriage.  (Hebrews 13:4) Couples who obey this law feel more secure and create a better environment for their children. On the other hand, sex outside of marriage often results in disease, divorce,violence, emotional trauma, and one-parent families. -Read Proverbs 5:1-9.

      By avoiding situations that tempt us to have sex outside of marriage, we protect our friendship with God.  We also avoid harming others. -Read 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6.

4. How does respect for life benefit us? 

      People who respect God's gift of life enjoy health benefits when they drop such habits as smoking and other life-threatening addictions.  (2 Corinthians  7:1) God treasures even the life of a baby developing in the womb.  (Exodus 21:22, 23) So we should not deliberately kill an unborn child. Also, those who appreciate God's view of life take safety precautions at work, at home, and in a car.  (Deuteronomy 22:8) In addition, they do not risk their life for sport, because life is a gift from God. -Read Psalm 36:9. 

5. How does the sacredness of blood benefit us?

      Blood is sacred because God says that it represents the life, or soul, of a creature. (Genesis 9:3, 4) God's law, which equates the value of blood with that of life, benefits us. How?  It makes possible the forgiveness of sins. -Read Leviticus 17:11-13; Hebrews 9:22. 
  
    Jesus' blood was especially precious because he was perfect. Jesus presented to God something that represented his life-his blood.  (Hebrews 9:12) His shed blood makes everlasting life possible for us. -Read Matthew 26:28; John 3:16. 

Next time:How Can Fathers Stay Close to Their Sons? 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2011