Jesus is the Way to a Better Life – Part I

In what way can Jesus give us a better life? He does it by identifying and removing the real problem. What is the cause of so much unhappiness? What deprives so many of inner peace? Is it not things like immorality, theft, murder? Is it not things like coveting, deceit, envy and pride? These things destroy families, friendships, and property. What then is the cause of these things? I think we know the answer to that question. It is sin! Jesus declared the source to be the sinful hearts of men.

Mark 7:21-23 (KJV)For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. What has Jesus done to remove this problem?

Titus 3:3-7 (KJV) For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Out of kindness, love, mercy and grace, God through Jesus Christ has saved those who obey His will and made them righteous in His sight! This took place when we experience the “washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit”, a reference to the act of baptism, in which one who believes in Jesus is truly born again of water and Spirit!

John 3:5 (KJV) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

In other words, Jesus removes the problem of unhappiness and lack of inner peace by first removing the cause: Sin! But there is more.

Gary Dull