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Did you know that many states have advertising campaigns encouraging people to live in their area? Several months ago, I stumbled across an advertisement for the state of Nebraska titled “the good life is calling.” If you were to peruse their website, you would find that their definition of a “good life” includes the following: a sense of community, good education, various types of entertainment, beautiful scenery, career opportunities, and affordable real estate.

Of course, the people over in Nebraska (love them or hate them!) are far from the only ones who claim to know the secret to living a good life. Turn on the TV, your social media platform, YouTube, or your go-to streaming app and you will hear countless voices telling you, “Hey, buy this product, pursue this habit, or fashion your life after so-and-so, and then you will be truly happy and live a fulfilled life.”

Though many claim to know how to live the “good life,” we know from John 1:4 that “in [Jesus] was life and the life was the light of men.” John 14:6 attests to our savior himself saying “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Italics mine). As Luke Treiber faithfully reminded us this past Sunday, God has given Jesus life (John 5:26), and Jesus is then able to give life to other people–a life that delivers people from bondage to their sin (John 11:25).

It stands to reason, then, that if Jesus is the true source of life, then he would have the answer to living the “good life” rather than any other human being on earth. Practically, this means we must look to the teachings of Jesus that apply to us today if we want to know what a good life truly looks like. If he says something is good, then we should pursue it; if he says something is sinful, then we must cast it off. If he has commanded us to do something, then we must faithfully obey.

Here is how I am seeking this week to follow Jesus’ pattern of living a good life:

  • Jesus says that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be blessed, “for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). I will seek each morning to pray, asking God to grow my desire to please Him in all that I say and do.
  • Jesus warns that “everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement” (Matthew 5:21). Whenever a co-worker says or does something I do not like, I will, by God’s grace alone, seek to prevent anger and bitter thoughts from forming in my heart. When I do become sinfully angry, I will confess it to the Lord and turn away from it.
  • Jesus has commanded me to be a disciple-maker (Matthew 28:29-30). Whenever I am with church family, I will strive to encourage them in their walks with God.