“Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea;” Isaiah 48:17-18 ESV http://bible.com/59/isa.48.17-18.esv
God’s way is better (understatement). God’s law is good. This scripture references the idea of the “easy yoke”. This flies the face of the line of thinking (that originated in the garden) that God is holding out and/or doesn’t know (or desire) what’s best for us. There are numerous stories illustrating this point (ex. Rich young ruler, prodigal son, man that buys a field, etc.) God’s way is better. What if all of my sin flows from belief in the lie. I sin b/c I don’t trust God’s heart and therefore don’t trust His law. “Help my unbelief.”
This is why the gospel is preached/taught! Because it is good news! God’s way is better can be the premise for all life change conversations (sermons). If the Bible is true, it is better (for me) to give than to receive. If the Bible is true, it is an honor (for me) to suffer in the name of our Savior. God’s way is better. On a bit of a side note, while God’s way benefits me, I am not to follow simply for my benefit. God’s laws are to honor and glorify him. God’s laws are true and good, therefore they are true and good for me.
Be warned that this line of thinking can be difficult in the short term. It is very easy to drift into thinking “God’s laws don’t coincide with my plan for my life, therefore God’s laws may not be true and good (at least for me in this scenario).” It would have been easy for Paul, who was beaten, shipwrecked, snake bit, and frequently in prison, to think “I don’t think this is the “easy yoke” that I was told about.” God’s plan is a big long plan. Sometimes adherence in the here and now can be hard or downright painful. But God’s way is good.
This completely changes the “attitude” of correction. This mentality (should) eliminate condemnation from correction. What if instead of condemning people for their sins, we lovingly try to encourage them to the Father. I am reminded of the old hymn, “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling… calling O sinner, come home.” My sins are both an offense to a Holy God and bad for me. I am eternally grateful that my Savior still call to me, “O sinner, come home.”