Reading With the People of God #12 - the Good LifeSample

This month, our readings focus on "The Good Life" as we continue exploring Jesus' Sermon on the Mount—His manifesto for how His people are called to live. Before diving in, take a moment to watch the video below for a refresher on the key themes of His teaching.

Walk This Way

In I Kings 15:26, it says,

“...and he walked in the way of his father.”

The obvious meaning is that he did what his father and those before him did, following the same bad patterns. In the Sermon on the Mount, we see Jesus introducing a new Father to His followers. Our Father in Heaven wills a new lifestyle, new principles for His children, He wants us to walk in His way. The new life is lived from the inside out, striving to obey God on earth as He is obeyed in Heaven.

In Matthew 6:19-23, Jesus’ teaching seems counter-cultural in the sense that it is contrary to our natural inclinations. Looking into this passage, we understand that God wants no competition for our allegiance. Our eyes on Heaven are always looking for ways to expand the kingdom and further His name on earth. If our priorities are right, we will clearly see the world from God’s point of view, and as verse 22 says, “Our whole body will be full of light.” That is when it can be said of us that we walk in the way of our Father.

* Primer Contributed by Jinet Troost