The Better Life in Jesus: Empowered to enjoy the better life

Hebrews 11:39-40  "And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect."

Introduction:
In this series we have considered what the writer of Hebrews refers to here in Hebrews 11:39 as “something better for us” or what we could call “the better life”. People all the time are interested in having the so-called “good-life” – a life with no problems, plenty of money and endless possibilities. But why have the “good-life” that is a myth when you can have “the better life” from God that is described here in Hebrews 12-13. The Christian life is of course “the better life” of which we speak. The first one we considered was that Christians are: "Victors Running Out the Better Life". We then considered the second truth that shows why life with Jesus is the better life: Children (of God by adoption & faith) secure in the better life. The third truth we discovered yesterday about the better life in Jesus was: "Heavenly Citizens living out the better life". Today's post will close out this study about the better life in Jesus by considering the final truth: Empowered to enjoy the better life.

Empowered to enjoy the better life. Hebrews 13:20-25

The closing remarks of the book of Hebrews is truly encouraging in Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, ²¹ equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Why is it that God commands Christians to live holy, Godly lives in Christ Jesus? because only by His grace can such a life be lived. When believers arrive in heaven, everything will be credited to God's enablement - including good works. Here is a question to consider: who lives the Christian life? Some will say "it is I" and others will say "let go, and let God". Both answers are correct, since on the one hand "I am crucified with Christ, and yet it is not longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me..." (Galatians 2:20a). Yet on the other hand consider what Paul writes next in Galatians 2:20 "and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." The better life with Jesus is better because He empowers us to live it by His presence (Colossians 1:27); His Spirit (Ephesians 1:18-20) and His word (2 Timothy 3:16).

Conclusion:

That concludes the reasons why life with Jesus Christ is the better life. As Christians, we are victors running out the better life, children secure in the better life, heavenly citizens living out the better life and empowered to enjoy the better life.