The idea of living one’s “best life now” has become a popular concept in contemporary culture. For Christians, this raises important questions about what the Bible teaches regarding living the good life in the present versus in eternity. At 9,000 words, this article will provide an in-depth look at relevant biblical passages to help Christians understand what Scripture says about living our best life now versus in the life to come.
Defining “Best Life Now”
The “best life now” philosophy advocates pursuing happiness, fulfillment, and success in the here and now. Popularized by Christian pastor Joel Osteen, it centers on positive thinking, material prosperity, and actualizing your full potential. Critics argue it overemphasizes earthly pleasures and self-realization versus building eternal treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
From a Christian perspective, we must evaluate any philosophy against Scripture. The Bible makes clear this world is fallen and temporary, and we await glorification and perfection in eternity (Romans 8:18-25). However, it also teaches God cares about our present lives and relationships. As Constable notes, “God is concerned about our happiness now as well as later.” So a biblical view affirms earthly blessings while recognizing their limitations.
Old Testament Teaching
The Old Testament provides wisdom on living faithfully before God now, though its focus leans more toward future hope. Ecclesiastes speaks to the vanity of pursuing pleasure apart from God (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). Yet it also encourages simple enjoyment of life in the present (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, 5:18-20). Proverbs stresses walking in wisdom and integrity more than seeking self-fulfillment. However, it promises temporal blessings like health and prosperity to the righteous (Proverbs 3:1-2).
The Psalms juxtapose the goodness of present life (Psalm 16:5-6) with longing for eternity (Psalm 16:9-11). Delitzsch observes: “The hope of everlasting life does not lead the Old Testament believer to despise the present life, but to enjoy it as a gift of God’s grace.” Overall, the Old Testament depicts temporal blessings as gifts from God, not ends in themselves. Our focus should be knowing and glorifying God now and forever.
Jesus’ Teaching
In his earthly ministry, Jesus repeatedly warned against treasuring worldly wealth and living for self (Luke 12:15-21). He called his followers to focus less on material needs than on pursuing God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:25-34). Jesus also denied the common assumption that earthly success and comfort mean God’s favor (Luke 13:1-5).
However, Jesus did not teach disregarding present happiness entirely. He often met physical and emotional needs through healings and miracles. His first miracle turned water into wine to keep a wedding celebration going (John 2:1-11). Jesus affirmed the value of family relationships (Mark 10:29-30) and simple pleasures like food, wine, and nature (Matthew 6:25-33). But he stressed keeping these in proper perspective under God’s reign.
Likewise, while Jesus promised persecution for following him (John 15:18-21), he also offered peace, joy, and abundant life now for believers (John 10:10, 15:11). Thus, Ladd concludes Jesus saw true fulfillment coming through “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” within this age, even amidst suffering.
New Testament Epistles
The New Testament letters develop a theology affirming earthly pleasures yet emphasizing eternity. Paul prays for the Philippians’ “joy in Christ” now but looks ahead to future “fruit” and being with Christ at his return (Philippians 1:21–26). He instructs Timothy to be content whether in “plenty” or “hunger” (Philippians 4:12). Peter similarly encourages holiness and service now while anticipating the “hope of the resurrection” (1 Peter 1:3-9, 13-17).
A key theme is moderation in earthly pleasures. Paul instructs Titus to “live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” while awaiting Jesus’ return (Titus 2:11-13). Hebrews applauds Moses for choosing ill-treatment with God’s people over “fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:24-26). James criticizes the arrogant rich who live in self-indulgence (James 5:1-6).
So the letters affirm temporal joys God grants, even amidst trials, but warn against overindulgence that distracts from devotion to Christ. Our ultimate hope is experiencing God’s presence in eternity, which relativizes all earthly blessings. As Wright notes, New Testament theology is “characterized both by great joy and deep pessimism about the present world order.”
Bible Verses on Living Well Now
Many Bible verses offer insight into living well during our present lives on earth. Here is a representative sampling:
- “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
- “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
- “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
- “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27)
- “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
- “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
- “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” (Jeremiah 29:11)
In summary, these and other passages portray God’s blessing and peace available now through Christ, purpose in good works, moderate enjoyment of his gifts, and confidence in his care and eternal plans.
Tensions in Christian Teaching
Christians have wrestled with tensions in biblical teaching about temporal versus eternal fulfillment. Augustine described these as the City of Earth versus the City of God. Some traditions such as monasticism have emphasized forsaking earthly pleasures for spiritual gains. At times this devalued everyday blessings God gives.
But other believers have perhaps over-corrected toward “prosperity gospel” emphases on health, wealth, and happiness now as guarantees of God’s favor. This distorts biblical teaching that our best life is not necessarily on earth but in eternity. Suffering may be part of God’s plan for sanctifying us (James 1:2-4).
As Longenecker summarizes: “Some focus on heaven so much that they are of no earthly good, while others focus on earth so much that they lose sight of heaven.” So Christians seeking biblical balance need discretion in focusing on present duties and delights without losing sight of our ultimate hope.
Living Well Both Now and Forever
Scripture holds together twin themes of profound joy now alongside longing for eternity. How do Christians walk out this tension? Some key principles include:
- Our relationship with God should be our highest priority now as it will be forever (Matthew 22:36-38).
- God graciously provides temporal blessings to enjoy in moderation with gratitude (1 Timothy 6:17).
- Investing in the eternal over the transient brings lasting rewards (Matthew 6:19-21).
- Our purpose now is fulfilling our unique calling and bringing God glory (Ephesians 2:10).
- Living by the Spirit produces qualities like “love, joy, peace” now amidst suffering (Romans 14:17, Romans 5:1-5).
- Our hope in Christ sustains us through present trials (Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
- True fulfillment means joyfully surrendering our will to God’s purposes (Matthew 16:24-26).
With these principles in mind, we can receive temporal blessings gratefully, walk closely with God each day, serve others in love, and look forward to eternity. Our best life spans both realms.
Practical Steps to Live Well Now
How can Christians practically apply biblical teaching on living our best life now? Consider these suggestions:
- Nurture your spiritual life through prayer, Bible study, church fellowship, and worship.
- Cultivate gratitude for the everyday blessings God gives.
- Invest in relationships with family, friends, neighbors – love as Jesus loves.
- Serve those in need through volunteering, giving, caring for others.
- Develop your talents and abilities through education, skills training, mentoring.
- Care for your physical and mental health through healthy habits and professional help as needed.
- Find meaningful work that utilizes your gifts and contributes to society.
- Enjoy creation and simple pleasures by getting outdoors, exercising, traveling, exploring arts and culture.
- Handle trials redemptively through prayer, counseling, support groups.
- Anticipate eternity by studying biblical teaching on the resurrection, the new creation, and the world to come.
With the Spirit’s help, these steps can help us experience abundant life now while still longing for the even greater blessings to come in eternity.
Living Well in Light of Eternity
Given the promise of eternal life, how should Christians approach temporal “best life now” philosophies? Piper offers wisdom: “It is unwise to build your life—and your quest for lasting joy— mainly on the pursuit of changing circumstances, twists of fate, temporary pain or pleasure, marginally important people, cheap thrills, trivial achievements… [We should] find joy in God that holds steady and grows through sickness and health, poverty and wealth.”
Scripture encourages neither neglecting present joys nor idolizing them. As Randy Alcorn writes: “Earth is not Heaven, but for the believer in Jesus, it can be a taste of Heaven… Our deepest desire is not for circumstances to change, but for us to change – and for a perfect world yet to come.” By God’s grace, we can live well now with eyes fixed on eternity.
Conclusion
In summary, Scripture presents earthly life as a foretaste of perfection to come, yet mattered enough for Jesus to become flesh to redeem it. God cares about our present joys and sorrows. But our deepest satisfaction only comes through an eternal relationship with him. By walking closely with God, fulfilling our purpose, loving others, and anticipating heaven, we can live our best life both now and forever.
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