Just what is this “good life” that we all desire to live? Riches? Health? Power? Are these at all connected to living the “good life.” What does a good life mean to you? I know we will all have different opinions, but just what is this good life all about?
I believe we can all agree on some areas of life such as comfort, being well, doing things that bring us enjoyment and purpose. Surely a loving family relationship would be high up on our list of things. Having a few friends that brings us the companionship we all need. All these things contribute to this good life I am sure of.
But, just what is a good life according to the Word of God? I just typed these words into Google and their Google AI gives this response, “according to Jesus, the good life involves living in love, forgiveness, and joy, both with God and with fellow humans, and prioritizing giving, and serving.” Wow! Even this godless entity called Google knows about Jesus and what he taught. I am just amazed.
So let’s look at what AI tells us about this good life we as Christians desire to live. Living in love is the first thing we see. Walking and living the walk of love, just like Jesus did, is a major part of who we are, and how we are seen by others..
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul tells us how love operates and the effects it has on others through us. Christian teachers often call this the love chapter, and it contains the key to Christian success on this earth for each of us. So if we will follow after love we will have success in our lives and the good life will be ours to share with others.
Paul informs us in Colossians 3:14 that we are to put on love, and love is an action word that is brought to life by your decision to love, and then making it a part of your daily life. Anything else will fade away if it does not have its life rooted by a decision. Falling in love is great, but when it’s just an emotion it will fail. It must be a determined decision to do it no matter what.
Love will stand the test of time when it is your decision to love someone. I believe the reason why so many marriages fail is because they are emotions instead of decisions. Nothing wrong with emotions, but they need more than that to last.
Love is a commandment given to us by Jesus in John 15:12 as he tells his disciples to love each other, as he loved them. So love starts at home according to this scripture. If we can’t love each other first, then we don’t have much chance of success loving someone who is unloveable.
In Colossians he informs us to put on love. Not as a facade, but as a garment that you pull on over your head and let if fall about your body completely. Love is to be something that we Christians are to do as our lifestyle. This little four letter word is able to overcome anything. It is a word that demands action, not just words. When you have made the decision to put on love as commanded by the Word of God, through Paul, then you must start to look for areas to show that love to your brethren.
When you abide in love (John 15:10-12) Jesus said you have fulfilled his commands. In John 14:15 Jesus said if you love me you will keep my commandments. In the book of Matthew 22:37-40 as Jesus was talking with a lawyer who had asked him a question about the royal law. Jesus answered that the first commandment is to love God with all your heart, mind and soul; then he goes one step further as he says in verse 39 that the second commandment is just like the first, that we must love our neighbor as ourselves.
Then Jesus nails the lid on it as he tells them that these two commandments fulfill all the law and the prophets. How is that? If we love God and those He created, our brethren, then we will not steal, covet, or do anything to hurt them, because God loves them and sent Jesus to die for all mankind. Not just the lovely, but the unlovely also.
Laws are only necessary for those who will not love others, because they love themselves more and all they want to do is lie, cheat, and steal to satisfy their own desires. So if we walk in love as our daily routine, being clothed with love, then we will not fail to live the good life He has given us with joy and peace in our hearts.
The second thing our AI informant has told us is that we are to live to give, and become a servant to others. This is exactly what Paul meant when he said to put on love. Love becomes a garment that we can share with those we meet that have nothing in their life to cover them. Love will never fail, Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:8, so we can depend on it to do what it is designed to do; and Peter reminds us that love will cover a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)
Being a servant to others? When you make the decision to become a servant of love, you will have made the second best decision of your life. The first decision which was your best one, was to give your heart to Jesus and believe on him as your Lord and Saviour.
What is a servant? Mr. Webster tells us that “ it is a person that serves others, one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer.”
I don’t mean a slave, but one who freely wants to serve others willingly, because of love. Our AI informant then informs us to serve others over material possessions or personal gain. Wow! That is exactly what the “love chapter” emphasizes most of all. Not doing it for profit but for love. I am constantly trying to do this myself, but at times I get into my own way.
Self importance will always try to put you first instead of others. But, if you really want to walk the love walk and enjoy the good life God has planned for you, then you will have to do it His way, and learn to overcome your own selfish desires and let Gods love flow through you to them.
Look for ways to show your love to someone daily, your spouse, family or friends, can be your training ground. Learning to walk as a servant will take practice, but remember you will make it, just don’t give up. I hope this helps you become a more loving Christian as you strive to become a disciple of Jesus.
In His Service As Kilted Priest
The Kilted Priest 