The goal of our generation is to live “the good life.” This dream is not new, it has been the desire of every age and every walk of life. People search all over for what is good, but we must realize that Jesus is the only way to a good life (John 14:6).
Jesus Corrects Our Misconceptions:
Most people think of the “good life” in terms of material prosperity, physical pleasure, and popularity. They believe that these things will bring them peace and happiness, but often the most wealthy and famous are extremely unhappy and lacking inner peace. Jesus corrects the misconceptions that these things allow us to live the “good life.” He does so by teaching that there is more to life than material possessions (Luke 12:15). He did not deny that we have certain basic needs (Matt. 6:32; 1 Tim. 6:17). He only revealed that we will not make life better by possessing more material things. It is only when we seek to take possession of Jesus, that the way of true peace and happiness can be lived (John 14:27; 15:9-11). What the world cannot give, Jesus can. How does He do it?
Jesus Leads the Way to A Better Life:
First, Jesus identifies the source of our anxiety and unhappiness, the sinful hearts of mankind (Mark 7:21-23). It is one to thing to identify the problem, but what has Jesus done to provide a solution? Jesus removes the problem by first removing the cause, sin (Tit. 3:3-7).
Additionally, Jesus teaches us to seek new goals in life. In fact, the purpose of His grace is to teach us to say “NO!” to thinking and walking after the desires of the flesh (Gal. 5). In addition, He teaches us to live according to a right standard to what is godly (Tit. 2:11-12).
Finally, Jesus provides us physical and spiritual blessings. For example, He provides the material things we need, if we will put God first (Matt. 6:31-33; Mark 10:28-30, 35). He provides a form of pure pleasure and happiness (John 15:11; 1 Pet. 1:8). Even more so, if we follow Jesus and seek to lay up our treasure in heaven, we will appear with Him in glory (Col. 3:4; 2 Thess. 2:14). When we consider the physical and spiritual blessings of Jesus being our Way, how much better could life get?
-John Garza