Enjoy Life To The Fullest
How does a person enjoy life? If you search the internet, you will find a gazillion suggestions. If, however, you want to enjoy life to the fullest, check out what the Apostle Peter wrote.
For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. 1 Peter 3:10
In the first few verses of 1 Peter 3, the apostle outlined the biblical responsibilities of husbands and wives. Then he went on to address all Christians with the following list.
- All of you should be of one mind.
- Sympathize with each other.
- Love each other as brothers and sisters.
- Be tenderhearted,
- And keep a humble attitude.
- Don’t repay evil for evil.
- Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you.
- Instead, pay them back with a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9
That is quite a list! But not an impossible one. You see, God is always there to help us through anything we can’t do on our own.
And Peter followed up with two reasons why we should strive to exhibit those characteristics. It’s our calling and it comes with a promise.
That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 1 Peter 3:9
Do You Want to Enjoy Life to the Fullest?
Peter got his inspiration for what he wrote next from what David wrote in Psalm 34. Look at the question the Psalmist asked.
Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Psalm 34:12
That’s not a rhetorical question. What kind of life do you want to live? Do you want to live a life that you can enjoy to the fullest? To do so, look at what David continued writing.
Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. Psalm 34:13-14
In a nutshell, the answer to the question David asked lies in the next two sentences.
- Watch what you say and go out of your way to do good.
- Work at searching for peace and do everything you can to keep it.
There is nothing passive about what David wrote. A good foundation for your life will require a conscious effort. But it will result in a long prosperous life you can enjoy to the fullest.
Love Completes us
Each task that Peter listed in verses 8 and 9 all deals with how we treat others. So if you want to enjoy and love life then love people.
Love motivated Christ to die on the cross. He died not only to reconcile us to God but to reconcile us to each other as well. His death destroyed the barriers between us
For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. Ephesians 2:14
This verse encourages us to go beyond loving people who love us. As Jesus united Jews and Gentiles, He will also unite us with our enemies.
When we love one another and love our enemies only then can we love and enjoy life? According to our verse for today, we can also see many happy days.
Turn Toward Good
In verse 11, Peter concurred with what David said about turning away from evil and doing good.
Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. 1 Peter 3:11
Let’s not simply turn “away,” from evil, but also turn toward doing good. That is the first step in searching for peace and putting us on the road to maintaining it.
Is God Watching You?
What do you say to a misbehaving person, especially a child? You say something like, “I’m keeping my eye on your!” Why, because we want to make sure they stay in line.
God, however, doesn’t operate like that. In verse 12, Peter tells us who God keeps His eyes on.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right.1 Peter 3:12
He watches over those who do right. Even though many people have their own definition of what right is, it’s not a subjective term.
God watches over those who do right in His sight, people who live in obedience to the Lord. Satan tries to convince people that they can’t enjoy life to the fullest if they’re living for God.
Satan also spreads a falsehood that the Lord waits for those who mess up so He can chastise them. Those lies are the exact opposite of what God does. Peter continued with;
. . . and his ears are open to their prayers.1 Peter 3:12
On the other hand, God doesn’t pay attention to those who do evil.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12
I don’t know about you but I want God to watch me and not turn His face against me.
When You have a Bad Day
In this portion of 1 Peter 3, the apostle depended on what David had to say in the 34th Psalm.
So the next time you think you are having a bad day, read Psalm 34.
- According to what David wrote, your day is one in which:
- You and I can praise and exalt the Lord (34:1-3),
- We can experience answers to our prayers (34:4-7),
- We can taste the goodness of God (34:8),
- And we can sense God’s nearness (34:18).
Are you ready to live life and enjoy it to its fullest?
I hope so because that is what God has called you to do.
Lord, my goal is to live according to your will by pleasing you in everything I do. Help me to live right as you watch over my life.
How are you living your life? Check out these related posts.
- Unashamedly Living The Tough Truths Of The Gospel
- Enjoying The Benefits Of Living A Godly Life
- Here Is The Truth About Those Living Ungodly Lives
- How To Present Your Body As A Living Sacrifice
- Are You Living Under The Shadow Of His Wings
- To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice
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