A statement I often make is, “Living a Christian life lets us enjoy the best of what this life has to offer and the best of the one to come.” Let’s examine the truth of this biblical principle.
I believe that Paul revealed this truth in 1 Timothy 4:8, when he wrote, “Bodily exercise profits little but Godliness is profitable to all things, having the promise of the life that now is and of that one which is to come.” Paul was not just beating the air; he was encouraging the young preacher and teaching him a valuable lesson as to why it is so important to live the Christian life. That lesson applies to our living today as well. One can put his whole effort into exercising his physical body, and he may end up with a healthy, strong physique that is admirable, but when it comes to eternal matters, his physical body will count for nothing regardless of its appearance. Regarding the life that is to come, it’s the strength and condition of the soul that matters to God.
When a Christian has done what it takes to strengthen his spiritual life and has dedicated his life to God, not only will he have what it takes to cope with the evils and disappointments of daily living, he will have confidence of looking forward to an eternal home in Heaven. Paul voiced that confidence when he said, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). In our daily living, many things will happen that frustrate and hinder our spiritual lives, but if we love God and remain faithful to Him, whatever happens to us will be for the best because we have been faithful.
David was a wonderful servant of God. He said, “Trust in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and you shall feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord and trust in Him and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:3-5). We know that David was not perfect. He sinned just as all men have, but he always repented deeply and was remorseful for his sins. David never stopped loving and trusting the Lord. When David said, “delight yourself in the Lord,” I believe that is exactly what he did. “Delight” means “to take satisfaction or great pleasure in,” and David lived his life in such a way to let us know that he never forgot to remember who his Lord was. He strived to honor God with his living. Christians should delight in the Lord.
Jesus taught a valuable lesson about enjoying the best of this life by trusting in and living for God. He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you; therefore, take no thought for the morrow for the morrow will take thought for the things of itself” (Matthew 6:33, 34). Because we live in the here and now, it’s so easy to concentrate on the necessities of life, not only for today but for tomorrow. We, at least in the recesses of our minds, expect to see a tomorrow. Jesus said you will have what you need for this physical life when you live a Godly life. It may not be material satisfaction but spiritual fulfillment.
Peter said, “He who will love life and see good days will refrain his tongue from evil and his lips will speak no guile; he will turn away from evil and do good; he will seek and pursue peace” (1 Peter 3:10-11). Simply, if one wants to enjoy good days in this present life, he can only do so by doing the things that will grant him eternal life. He will spend his days doing good, not bad.
Peter continued with a promise of help from God. “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and His ears are open to their prayers but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Who is he that can harm you if you are zealous of that which is good? But and if you suffer for righteousness sake, happy are you” (1 Peter 3:12-14). Bad things can and do happen to good people because we all live in this world, but God will see the faithful through the hard times, providing the strength needed to triumph. Paul told the Philippian brethren, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
When a Christian does his part and is faithful to God, God will certainly do His part as He has promised so that we can “enjoy good days” in this life, and better yet, enjoy the promise of the life to come with Him in Heaven!
