What does “the best life” look like? Is it successful, and if so, what’s the definition of success used? Many people believe that being rich is the key to success. Through the ages, humanity has striven to achieve success by obtaining wealth. Yet, today, more than ever, we know that money doesn’t bring happiness. Sure, money is helpful, but it’s not everything. What about friends? Having lots of friends is excellent, but is it a good measure of success? Many people have many friends, yet they feel lonely and dead inside. Is it power? Health? What can we gain in this world to honestly say we’re successful? 

Let me suggest that few of us know what our “best” life looks like. While we have an idea of what it looks like, the problem with our view of our best life is that it comes from observing other people who we think are living their best lives. When you think about it, does that make sense? After all, the life that is best for me isn’t necessarily going to look like someone else’s best life. 

Reading through 2 Peter today, I realized that God has allowed everyone to live their best life. It says so right here in this verse.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

Peter was writing to Christians when he wrote this verse. However, even if you don’t know Jesus, God has given you everything you need to live your best life. It’s found in the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s look at the next verse to see how we can grab hold of this godly life and live our best. 

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires (emphasis added).

2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)

It’s through the promises of God, “his very great and precious promises,” that we are empowered to “participate in the divine nature.” Note that it’s not just God’s promises that get us into Heaven. No, through his promises, we can experience God’s divine nature here on Earth. What are those promises? There are thousands of promises in the Bible, but I will highlight three that guarantee your best life.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

1. These verses promise that if we include God in everything we do instead of trying to do everything in our own strength and understanding, he will work it out. 

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

2. Who doesn’t want peace in their life? This verse promises that we will always have God’s perfect peace in our lives if we keep our minds fixed on him. Note, it doesn’t say that our lives will look peaceful or be without conflict. This verse promises us perfect calm through every storm in life. 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

3. Everyone is chasing after something. This verse from Matthew assures us that when we pursue God’s kingdom and his righteousness first in our lives, everything else we might need will be given to us. 

The “best life” road doesn’t look the same for everyone, but there are ways to measure if you’re on the road and how far you’re getting along. Fortunately, Peter gives us some insight into what we can work on as we go forward. After all, those verses I’ve mentioned are great, but how do we go from leaning on ourselves, thinking about everything but God, and seeking everything else first to relying on, thinking on, and seeking God first? 

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge.

2 Peter 1:5 (NIV)

The first resource God gives to us is faith. We have this promise from Romans.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you (emphasis added).

Romans 12:3 (NIV)

We all have different amounts of faith, but whatever faith you have right now is just right for right now. Faith is like a muscle. You’ve probably heard that before. Like any muscle, if you want the muscle to grow stronger, you have to use it. Peter tells us in verse 5 to “make every effort to add…goodness” to it. Then, to the goodness, add knowledge. In fact, these qualities Peter lists are just the foundation for others, as we can see from these verses.

and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

2 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)

All of these qualities come from faith and build upon one another. How do we exercise our faith? Go back to those three points I listed above and do what they say. Read the Bible and do what it says. Pray to God and do what he tells you to do every day. Stop examining your past and dreading the future. Do these things today and again tomorrow, but don’t worry about tomorrow. Focus on today. 

Peter goes on and gives us this promise from the Lord. 

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:8 (NIV)

The process of living our best life doesn’t unfold in a day. That’s why it’s called life! That’s why all of these qualities are something to build on. We may start with a measure of faith, but it will increase as we use it. The same goes for everything else Peter mentions here; goodness, knowledge, self-control, our ability to persevere, godliness, mutual affection, and love. 

While everyone is chasing after the best life they can live, God not only promises us the best life we can have here on Earth but assures us the best of eternity. This best eternity is waiting for you and can be found only in His loving arms. 

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey. 

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