Sometimes people make rules as a power play—to make life more difficult for others. You have to do it because they said so. But there isn’t a significant advantage to following those regulations. It’s just one person’s policy others are required to follow.
Other times people and organizations make rules that are intended to protect others. You have to follow them because it benefits everyone—including yourself. Keeping your speed on the road under a safe limit is good for you and the other drivers. It’s a good rule.
Why does God give us rules? Because he’s been around a very long time, and he knows how this will work best. So there is a tremendous advantage to listening to them. He wants you to be safe and he wants to protect those around you, too. When he talks about your greatest loves, your money, your sex life, and how you speak about others, he’s trying to protect you. He’s trying to keep others safe, too.
Because we all can think of times we’ve been hurt or hurt others. God doesn’t want that. That’s why he makes rules.
“Keep [God’s] decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time” (Deuteronomy 4:40).
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