The Lord’s promises or warnings as to what He will do to His children are conditional (Jer. 18:7-10; 26:13). It could hardly be otherwise, since the basic laws of cause and effect are in constant operation in connection with all the works of man, whether good or evil. It is to man’s own advantage to obey the laws of God, since those laws are established for the benefit of man and the world in which he lives. The commandments of God are never arbitrary decrees. They always point out a pathway of right and blessing. Disobedience to those commands inevitably brings woe and sorrow.

 Righteousness is at the basis of man’s peace, well-being, and prosperity (Prov. 11:5, 19; 12:28; Isa. 32:17, 18). It is a simple but inexorable fact that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23), and that “sin, when it is finished bringeth forth death” (James 1:15). That is why the prophets again and again set forth the principle that obedience to the commands of the Lord brings life and blessing and that disobedience brings disappointment and death (Ex. 15:26; Lev. 26:2-33; Deut. 28:1-68; Isa. 1:19, 20; Jer. 7:3-7; Dan. 9:10-14). Each generation and every nation needs to come to a clear understanding of the fact that the enjoyment of peace and blessing is contingent upon compliance with the fundamental laws of right and justice. Such are laws of God, the laws of life.