Living the Good Life: More Than Just Existing
What does it mean to truly live “the good life”? For some, it’s a healthy bank account or a spotless reputation. But in our recent service, we dived into the Gospel of John to see that the “good life” isn’t about what you have; it’s about who has you.
The foundation of this message comes from a powerful promise in the Word:
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have more abundantly.” — John 10:10 KJV
Religion vs. Relationship
We looked at the story of Nicodemus in John chapter 3. Here was a man who, by the world’s standards, was living the dream. He was influential, wealthy, and a master in Israel. Yet, he came to Jesus by night. Why the darkness? Because he was fearful. He was torn between the religion he knew and the relationship he saw in Jesus.
Nicodemus represents many today who are “halfway” in—impressed by the miracles but afraid of the cost to their reputation. Jesus didn’t entertain his compliments; He went straight to the heart of the matter: You must be born again.
The Salvation Equation
The sermon broke down the “simple salvation equation” that every believer needs to understand:
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Born once, die twice. (Physical birth only leads to physical and eternal death).
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Born twice, die once. (Physical birth plus spiritual birth leads to eternal life).
Being born again isn’t a suggestion; it’s a necessity. It involves a two-part union of water and Spirit:
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Water Baptism: This is how we “put on” Christ. It’s the washing away of sins (Acts 22:16). Think of it as me in Christ.
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Spirit Baptism: This is the infilling of the Holy Ghost. It gives us the power to live right, the joy to stay encouraged, and the peace to weather the storm. Think of it as Christ in me.
You can’t be “half-born.” To live the abundant life, we need the union of repentance, water, and the Spirit.
Running to the Light
One of the most sobering points of the message was how we view the world around us. Jesus said those who don’t believe are “condemned already.” They aren’t waiting for a judgment in the distant future; they are currently living under the heavy sentence of separation from God.
How do you recognize someone who is condemned? They spend their lives running from the light. They prefer the darkness because it hides the reality of their situation.
But as believers, how do we recognize someone who is saved?
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They run to the light.
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They love the truth because it reveals reality.
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They aren’t afraid to let God “clean house,” throwing out the old things because they’ve found something better.
A New Way of Thinking
Living the good life starts with repentance. This isn’t just saying “sorry”; it’s an inward change of attitude that leads to an outward change of action. It’s choosing to think the way God thinks.
If you’ve been running in the dark, tripping over the same habits and hurts, there is a better way. Don’t settle for just existing. Choose the rich, satisfying, and abundant life that only comes through Jesus Christ.
Are you ready to stop running from the light and start running toward it?