A Good Life

Richard Thetford

In 1 Peter 3:10-11 we read, "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it."

There is a very real sense in which life, as a precious gift of God, is to be loved and lived with exuberance. Please notice, though, that the enjoyment of life and the experiencing of good days is an act of the will. That means that it doesn't depend on fate, circumstances, or mere physical considerations. In fact, in Psalms 34, from which Peter quoted, David spoke of fears in verse 4, troubles in verse 6, and afflictions in verse 19. Yet, in verse 10, he declared that those who seek the Lord shall not want for any good thing.

A good day would seem to be one in which one can say truthfully that he's sustained a right relationship with God, his family, his fellow-man, and himself, regardless of whether he is afflicted and persecuted, or is praised and blessed.

What do we need to do to have a good day? The answer is in our text. We must do what Peter said. First, watch our words. Let us refrain our tongues from evil and our lips that they speak no guile. Second, watch our ways. Let us turn away from evil, and do good. Third, watch our wrath. Let us seek peace and pursue it.

If we follow the precepts taught in God's word, our life will be blessed, we'll be a blessing to those around us, and we will have good days. That makes this life worth living.