In another thread I posted this and have been thinking more about it -
Basically, the question is - why does God give us things to obey ? Is it because He is God and we don't need to know why, just do it ? Is He desiring that our life here be one of suffering and doing without and our fulfilling life will be after this life ? Or does God want us to have the best of living here and now ? Or for other reasons ?when we know God and why He has given us things to obey, we understand it is because He loves us and wants the best for us. We are abiding in His love when we obey and receive the benefits of obedience. Those who don't understand why God wants obedience and perhaps think following the rules just because they are rules don't know God and why He gives them.
What I meant by my quote above is that, imo, God wants the best life for us here and now, an abundant life of right living, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit and whatever is commanded that we give up is only that in doing so, we gain more real living here and now as well as eternally. Eternal life is also a quality of life that begins now if we believe and pursue it through obedience.
Why do you think God gives us things to obey ? And if it is for our best life now, why do many of us not reflect a life that the unsaved world would be more drawn to want ?