What is the Good Life?

What is the good life?

The good life is a life where individuals can fulfill that which they were made to do. To live up to one’s purpose free from criticism and bondage. Freedom is the good life. This freedom is rare in this world. It cannot be found in any country or any civilization in the present day. Everyone who is of this world is a slave to this world. This world is cursed. Ever since the Adamic fall, mankind has been cursed with sin. Sin is the evil that has seeped into and infested our world. Sin would encourage people that they themselves can be gods. That they can do whatever they want. Sin is Satan. Satan encompasses all that which is evil and he believes he can be king. He is deceptive and cunning. Satan embodies all of that which is opposite to the good life. Therefore, to describe that which is good, first we must establish that which is evil.

What is an evil life?

A life that is evil is one that has committed to the darkness. Those who love this world and the pleasures within more than they love Jesus are living a life unfulfilled. The world preaches that fulfillment will come through sex, money, wealth, glory and power. Many individuals pursue a life that is free from God’s law that is given in the Bible. They pursue a life of freedom without responsibility or governance. This is wrong; for this form of living brings death. This way of living does not care for the well-being of others but is fixated on making ones own self greater than everyone else. This is not freedom but rather enslavement. To live a life in this way is to become a slave to the desires of the flesh.

“Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34)

Individuals may believe that pursuing glory in this life will bring happiness and a sense of fulfillment; instead, it will leave a gaping chasm within their innermost self. This emptiness and darkness within the soul only leads people to pursue more and more pleasure at the expense of other people’s well being. They become so consumed by the darkness that they become a slave to sin. Being a slave to sin is the exact opposite of being a slave to that which is good. Many individuals believe they can walk the fine line of being in the world and also of God. However, this is impossible. For you cannot serve both sin and God since they are opposites.

“You cannot serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other.” (Matthew 6:24)

Jesus is King, He is the living embodiment of that which is light and good. To be a slave to him is not slavery at all but becoming one with that which we were always meant to be. Jesus says this,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29)

This is the truth. That we were made to be with the God for we are all sons and daughters of God. We as humans were made in God’s image. The good life for us is a life devoted to our maker, our saviour and our King who is Jesus. The Father desires for all of us to be with him forever.

“So, it is not the will of my father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” (Mathew 18:14)

We are not meant to kill each other or hate each other or seek to be greater than one another. We are called as sons and daughters of God to love one another. This is the second greatest commandment which is to love others as much as we love ourselves. The problem is that many people want a piece of the pleasure that sin offers as well. For sin does not portray itself as being evil. The devil is cunning and he makes his offer look delicious and full of ecstasy and pleasure. Solomon describes this temptation in the book of Proverbs with the following illustration of the adulteress.

“She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait. She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him, I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows; so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I have found you. I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen; I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. Come let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home. With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter.” (Proverbs 7:11-22)

This depiction of the adulteress does not seem harmful. It does not appear to lead to death. The offer of the devil is one of pleasure, of a long-lasting ecstasy. This offer if accepted leads to destruction. I myself once succumbed to this temptation. I was consumed with making my own name great and having power and respect amongst others. I was a slave to my own selfish desires. I was a slave to sin. To the darkness and I could not get free. However, it is a blessing to recognize that we are poor in spirit. It is a blessing to recognize that we are in slavery and are seemingly broken beyond repair. For once you recognize that being of the world is being a slave to sin… A recognition begins to occur. Once this happens the blinders begin to fall off. When you see the truth of our moral situation it causes a recognition of need. We need help. We need a saviour for we have fallen short.

“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

Every single person in this world has succumbed to the temptations of sin in their life. All are worthy of destruction. Except for one man. Only one man was worthy. Jesus is the word.

“And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Jesus was the perfect embodiment of the law, the perfect law that leads to everlasting life. He was the only one worthy and acceptable in the sight of the father. Jesus is the perfect King. He is the perfect King because He chose to freely give up His life for His people. He chose to become death so they could have life. We have a King who loves us more than He loves Himself and that is why we serve Him.

Jesus is good. The good life is a life with Jesus. The good life is one where we no longer need to struggle with our sinful desires. The good life is where we are able to live in perfect harmony with those around us without conflict or animosity. The good life is freedom to be who we were meant to be without being judged or forced to conform to a mold that society says we must be. The good life is one where we are free. The fight for freedom has been the cause of war since the beginning of time. The liberation of Gods people in Egypt is a perfect metaphor for the freedom we receive in spirit when we become of the light. The Israelites were in bondage, they were held in captivity by Pharaoh who thought himself to be as god. Pharaoh had placed himself above the rest of mankind and all people lived in fear of his tyrannical rule. The might of Pharaoh was great. The Israelites were terrified of what Pharaoh would do to them if they did not follow his orders. Similarly, so many people are terrified of what the world will do to them if they do not conform to the world. Satan kills Christians. This is what he does since he hates God. Pharaoh killed Israelites. They were living in fear of Pharaoh. However, we do not need to fear Pharaoh because God has already parted the red sea for us. There has been a way paved for us out of Egypt to the promised land. Jesus made a way home for all mankind when He conquered death on the cross. Now we need not live in fear of the world for God has conquered this world.

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Today we do not need to remain in bondage for we have freedom that has been offered to us. There is a promised land that we have been promised. This promised land is the good life. A life free from sin and death. In a land flowing with milk and honey. Where our King and our God will dwell among us and there will be no darkness for the presence of God will give light continually for all eternity. This is the good life. Where there is no more darkness, no more sin and no more death or pain or suffering. Every tear will be wiped away when Jesus is King. This is the ideal that we hope for. This is the ideal that we must fight for. This is the good life.

Unfortunately, there is still a darkness in this world. The good life, a perfect life cannot be found in this life for this present world is cursed. Freedom on earth is life with Christ. To die is to be with Him forever and to enjoy goodness and perfection for all eternity. The apostle Paul said it best,

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

To live for Christ is to give up everything we have ever hoped for in this world, in order to pursue a hope for a perfect world with Jesus as our King. Jesus said,

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (John 16:24-25)

This world is not our home. Those who know and hope in the good life are willing to suffer for that dream. There is a war going on. We are given instructions on how to fight in the following passage.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might, Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)

The good life on earth is a life of service to Jesus. When we commit our lives into the hands of Jesus, we are placing our hope and faith in His love. Are you willing give it all for your King?