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Jesus, The Way To A Better Life

The popular goal of our generation is the good life. This dream is not new. It has been the desire of every age - of teachers and philosophers, monarchs, and common people. The way to the truly good life can only be found in Jesus.

Jesus Corrects Misconceptions

The good life is summed up best in the word happiness. Yet, when we think of the good life, we usually think of material prosperity, pleasure, and popularity. This is because we suppose that these are the things that bring happiness. Jesus rejects this supposition.

"Then He said to them, Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions" (Luke 12:15 NASB).

"Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way" (Luke 6:25-26 NASB).

Our own personal observations agree that most wealthy, high-living and famous people are not happy. Yet we continue to seek these things and often are disappointed when Jesus does not provide them. If Jesus offered these as the way to a better life, He would be a failure.

Jesus Roots Out The Problem

God endowed man with the good life in the very beginning of time. However, this good life was lost when sin entered the world through one man, Adam. With sin came guilt, fear, pain, and death. Sin is still the spoiler. Jesus said:

"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man" (Mark 7:21-23 NASB).

Is it not true that most of the unhappiness you have known is traceable to just such sins as these? It is only in turning from sin that we can hope to find happiness.

"For, THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT" (1 Peter 3:10-11 NASB).

Only by studying the law of Christ can we recognize sin.

"…sin is lawlessness" (1 John 3:4 NASB).

Only by following the perfect example of Jesus can we avoid sin.

"For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH" (1 Peter 2:21-22 NASB).

Imagine a life without guilt, without fear, without the anxiety that always attends a life of sin! Here, indeed, is peace that passes understanding.

Jesus Teaches Us To Seek New Goals

The goal of an unhappy world is earthly treasure. Jesus says:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal" (Matthew 6:19-20 NASB).

 Individuals are eager to receive, but reluctant to give. Jesus says:

"… 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (Acts 20:35 NASB).

Individuals consider it a symbol of the good life to be served. Jesus says:

"It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:26, 28 NASB).

The goals the world sets are goals that many can never achieve. Achievement does not ensure happiness and those who fail to achieve them are made even more miserable by their failures.

However, when our goals are changed, we can be content without those things the world considers essential; they are no longer the things we are seeking. Our contentment and happiness come with attaining our new goals, and success in these is within the reach of everyone. Anyone can store up treasure in heaven, anyone can give, and anyone can serve others. If there is any doubt that these things do bring happiness, just look at anyone you know who is actually practicing them.

Wonder of wonders, there is more!

Jesus Gives What We Do Not Expect!

Once we learn not to make material things, pleasure and fame our goals, Jesus provides us an unexpected portion of these very things! Jesus says:

"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:31-33 NASB).

"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return" (Luke 6:38 NASB).

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11 NASB).

How Does Jesus Do It?

We may never know all the ways by which the Lord fulfils His promise. One way is through the sheer wisdom of His instructions. Knowing people as He does, He asks of us only those things that are good for us; and He forbids only those things that are harmful.

Our health is better when we live the pure life that Jesus teaches. We are better off financially, for we are better workers and we no longer have to pay the expensive cost of sin. Family life is better as we learn to think first of others. Regardless of the problems and troubles we still must face, we face them with Jesus and with the hope of heaven.

Questions 

You must fill in all the fields in order for your answers to be sent.

Q1. The things that defile a person and make him unclean come out of his ___________ (Mark 7:21-23).

Q2. If anyone would love life and see good days, he must turn away from _______________ (1 Peter 3:10-11).

Q3. The lawless person, in transgressing God’s law commits _____________ (1 John 3:4).

Q4. Who is the only person that committed no sin ___________ (1 Peter 2:21-22).

Q5. Treasures on _________ may be destroyed by moth and rust or stolen by thieves. Jesus taught us to lay up treasures in _______________ (Matthew 6:19-20).

Q6. Jesus said that it is better to __________ than ____________________ (Acts 20:35).

Q7. Jesus said one who desires to be great must be a _______________ (Matthew 20:26).

Q8. The ____________ worry about what they will eat, drink, and wear. We are taught to seek first God’s ______________ and His ____________ and all these things (food, clothing, etc) will be supplied (Matthew 6:31-33).

Q9. If we _________ others will give to us (Luke 6:38).

Q10. The person who humbles himself will be ________________ (Luke 14:11).

We look forward to receiving your answers.