Eternal Life

How To Have a Happy and Meaningful Life

Some people feel that a happy and meaningful life consists of a good time, friends, lots of money, doing something worthwhile and getting to the top. All of these make sense, but we all know people who these things and still feel empty. Why? They started at the wrong place.

Here are four vital facts we need to know:

1) A HAPPY AND MEANINGFUL LIFE BEGINS WITH GOD.
Jesus said, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Jesus also said, “I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Augustine, a great Christian writer in the fourth century, observed, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, O God, and the heart of man is restless until it finds rest in Thee.”

According to the Bible, look what God offers you:

Love—Someone who cares about you.
Security—Someone who cares about what happens to you.
Peace—Someone who cares about your problems.
Purpose—Someone who cares about whether your life counts.
Eternal Destiny—Someone who cares about your future.

Unfortunately . . .

2) MAN’S SIN HAS SEPARATED HIM FROM GOD.
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The Bible says, “All of us, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned, every one of us, to his own way.” (Isaiah 53:6). The Bible also tells us, “Your sins have been a barrier between you and God.” (Isaiah 59:2).

Therefore, we know that sin is failure to be what God wants us to be and failure to do what God wants us to do. Obviously then, all of us have sinned. Consciously or unconsciously, we have rebelled against God. That’s not all! The penalty of sin is death. God is righteous so God must judge man’s sin. As long as sin separates us from God, you see, we cannot enjoy the happy and meaningful life God wants us to have.

Fortunately . . .

3) GOD LOVES YOU VERY MUCH! HE GAVE JESUS CHRIST, HIS SON, TO TAKE AWAY YOUR SIN.
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The Bible says, “God showed His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). The Bible further says, “Christ died for our sins . . . and arose on the third day.” (I Corinthians 15:3-4)

God is satisfied with what Jesus Christ has done. Now He is completely free to forgive you, and to offer you a happy and meaningful life with Him. Jesus has removed the barrier of sin through His death.

However, you have ONE responsibility . . .

4) TO ENTER INTO A HAPPY AND MEANINGFUL LIFE, YOU MUST TURN TO GOD BY TRUSTING JESUS CHRIST TO FORGIVE YOUR SINS.
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Look at what the Bible tells us, “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). The Bible tells us, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31). The Bible also tells us, “Being justified (set right with God) by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

But what is faith? We exercise faith when we depend on a doctor, trust in a lawyer or believe in a fried. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, therefore, is trusting Him to forgive your sins and to bring you into a right relationship with God.

Let’s review . . .

We know that life begins with God and that your sin has separated you from Him and Jesus Christ paid the penalty for your sin. The only thing God asks you to do is trust the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive your sins so that you may begin a happy and meaningful life with God. Are you still separated from God or have you trusted Jesus Christ completely to forgive your sins? Wouldn’t you like to trust Jesus Christ to forgive your sins right now?

You may want to use this prayer to express your decision:

Dear Father, I admit that I am a sinner. I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for me.
I trust Jesus Christ to forgive my sins right now. Let me start a new and meaningful life with you today.
Amen.

To realize fully the happy and meaningful life, you need to grow in Christ. Here are some suggestions for spiritual growth:

You need to study the Bible daily to become aware of what God wants to do for you and with you. (I Peter 2:2)
As a Christian, Christ’s Spirit now indwells you. Power to do what the Word of God says comes as you rely on the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:16)
Prayer is another vital part of a happy and meaningful life. Speak to God often about your needs (Philippians 4:6-7)
One more thing: it’s difficult to be a Christian alone. Meet with others who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ in a church where the Bible is taught. Western Avenue is just that type of church. We invite you to join us next Sunday morning! (Hebrews 10:25)

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