Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.

Why pursue God? The first and most basic reason is that it leads to the "good life" - a life of joy, freedom, and satisfaction.

Why pursue God? The first and most basic reason is that it leads to the “good life” – a life of joy, freedom, and satisfaction. Jesus himself made this clear through his miracles and teachings.

A Life of Joy

The very first miracle of Jesus (John 2:1-12) gives us a hint about why he came to the earth – and why we should consider pursuing God. The miracle was to turn water into wine, which represents joy and gladness (Psalm 104:14-15). By contrast, Moses’ first miracle was to turn water into blood, which represented the judgment of God on Pharaoh. Jesus did not come to bring institutional religion or a set of sterile rules, but to bring a life of joy to anyone who would pursue God.

A Life of Freedom

Jesus taught that living according to the truth and following God’s path for our lives (instead of our own) will lead to true freedom. The opposite of a pursuit of God is a pursuit of self – a life that inevitably leads to bondage and destruction. Living to honor God does not restrict us, but it frees us to live the good life God designed for us.

John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:34,36 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”

A Life of Satisfaction

To be “satisfied” in life is to be content, to have enough of everything good. Only a pursuit of God can lead to ultimate contentment, and every other pursuit is like chasing shadows. Many people have chased careers, money, sex, and more… only to find that the deep void in their hearts is God-shaped. A pursuit of God boils down to relationships with God and people (Matthew 22:37-40) – the only two things that matter in eternity. A life lived with that simple clarity will bring true contentment to anyone who finds it.

John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Read more
Read less

Key Points:

  • A life of joy.
  • A life of freedom.
  • A life of satisfaction.

Quote This:

John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

See Also: Investigating Faith, Joy, Purpose, Sermonlink

Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. What was the first car you ever owned?
  3. How would you define “the good life”? Do you think most people would define it similarly? Why or why not?
  4. What comes to mind when you hear the word joy? Do you think joy is attainable in life? Why or why not?
  5. Give an example of how selfishness has gotten in the way of a relationship with a friend or with your spouse.
  6. Do you think living to honor God is always liberating? Explain.
  7. When in your life have you been most satisfied? What brought that sense of satisfaction?
  8. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.

This is part of the Faith and Growth series.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email