Some Thoughts and Verses About Faithfully Pursuing a Good Life

Is there anyone in this world who does not want a life full of good days, for themselves, their family, perhaps friends – even enemies? “It Don’t Come Easy,” according to what some people say, in song and what is realistically true, as has been said in another song, “Only The Strong Survive.” So, it is good to strengthen your faith, as many have throughout history. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel), Joseph, Samuel, Moses, Jesus, the Apostles and others who were faithful, to pursue the things of God.

In the Psalms we learn something about God’s faithfulness. Also, we learn about the need for our faithfulness if we are to learn to live a righteous life, and do good. If you intend or want to consider how to faithfully live a blessed life you might consider the following -

“Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” – Psalm 34:12-14

Whether you love your life or that of another, or both, perhaps for your offspring, you can see the value in learning how to set their eyes or your eyes on a sure example, and pursue a legacy worth considering; a life worth following.

In the Proverbs we learn a little more about faithfulness and its significance in life.

Proverbs 3:3-4 -“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

What happens when we let love and faithfulness leave us? Life gets to be difficult and progressively worse. Life becomes a tasteless and tangled mess. Want a good life and good relationships? Consider Proverbs 3:3-4 also. Have you met someone who has been faithfully kind toward you, even though you might not deserve such kindness. Someone who is faithful, to forgive, and faithful in loving – It’s worth the effort to become like that – with time… In Matthew 19:26 it says, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘ “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Can you be adopted into this family, of people who grow in their faith? Yes…

Have you harmed someone, felt unworthy of forgiveness? Possibly. Realistically we all hurt people, sometimes in imperceptible ways, other times emotionally or physically or spiritually… When, as a child we fall, as we are running we may scrape a knee, be hurt, with time learn to be careful about how we move and how we act or behave based upon our emotions. If we get upset we may hurt someone’s feelings or worse. Do they forgive us? Often, without us maybe even knowing it… Do you know you can be forgiven, and actually have been through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ? While Jesus was on the cross, being crucified, and dying, Jesus said, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” So badly mistreated, yet He died asking God to forgive those who harmed Him. Can we be forgiven? Yes. John 3:16-17 reminds us that Jesus came into the world to save us, not condemn us. As we learn to live by faith in God and His Word, we learn about life, how to be a blessing, less foolish, wiser and benefiting those around us, family, friend and foe - forgiving them, correcting them as needed, hopefully in a faithful loving way, considering the ways of God. It’s possible. How?

Learn about “A Thing Called Love.” In I Timothy 1:5-6 we get a sense of where true love comes from. I Timothy 1:5-6 says, “The goal of this command is love, from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.” So, be careful about who you listen to and how you listen. Even the religious leaders of Jesus time did not realize he was the Messiah. Was Jesus trying to instruct the Pharisees and Sadducees and religious leaders in the parables, by the miracles? How they listened affected their future. Some listened to Moses, who said their would be a prophet to listen to. Did they recognize and listen to Moses, who told them to listen to the prophet, the Messiah to come. Some did. Some didn’t. SO, I hope you’ll listen up .

SO, how do these types of changes occur? Consider what God said in Matthew 17:5, “While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him !”

Again, what do we do? We listen to him.

Moses spoke of the prophet to whom we are to listen, and God even stated to listen to Jesus. Can anyone ever have greater commendations than that? Jesus said to repent (one interpretation of the word ‘repent’ might be in a simple explanation - to turn from disobedience) and believe, as written in the Scriptures.

Hebrews 11:6 says, in effect, to listen, as faith comes by hearing. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Psalm 103:17-18 says, “But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children – with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” Here we are reminded that He does discipline us, to be faithful.

Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” This proverb reminds us that fearing man can result in trouble for us, so if someone wants you to fear them, perhaps they have not heard or listened to Jesus words in Matthew 22:37-40.

Jesus was faithful, as a Savior and Son, and so if things get challenging, remember Romans 8:28-29.

Last, as it says in 1 John 1:8-10, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” A good conscience, pure heart and sincere faith – these are good, so trust God, as we are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10), as He works these and other traits into us.

Thank God for His faithful love and the faithfulness of Jesus in our lives.