How can we live happily forever?
Is it possible to be happy forever? What does it take? What does it bring us today to live our lives according to God’s standards?
The good news of God’s Kingdom is made known all year round. Around the globe, people learn the good news from God’s Word through a Bible course. God’s messages are made known 24 hours a day around the globe. Jehovah God offers people the prospect of being able to live forever in the near future. Happy, content, young and healthy forever. If that isn’t good news.
But simply hearing the good news from the Bible is not enough to attain the eternal life promised by Jehovah God.
We must also shape our lives according to what God teaches us through his Word.
Our environment, however, has a completely different influence on us. The world around us, that is, human society with its customs and behavior, does not reflect God’s standards at all.
In the Bible book of Romans, chapter 12 verse 2, we can read that we should no longer allow ourselves to be shaped by this world system. Instead, we are called upon to be transformed by the remaking of our thinking. So that we can determine through testing what the good and acceptable and perfect will of God is.
Our Creator, Jehovah God, therefore makes certain demands on our lives. Firstly, that we no longer allow ourselves to be shaped by this world. And the biblical truth should also change our behavior.
What can the changes be compared to?
If we align ourselves with God’s standards, we improve our lives. No one is forced to serve Jehovah God. But everyone does this voluntarily. Out of conviction.
In the Bible book of Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 22, it says that we should put off the old personality that corresponds to our previous way of life and that is corrupted by deceptive desires.
Just as you take off a dirty piece of clothing to put on new clothes, you put off the old, dirty personality to put on something new and clean. You do this voluntarily, out of conviction. And you can feel better as a result. And you also do something good for your fellow human beings.
What happens to people who do not follow God’s guidelines?
In the Bible book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 6, verses 9 and 10, we learn that (in God’s eyes) unrighteous people will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Who are these unrighteous people in God’s eyes?
For example, people who act sexually immoral.
The Bible also tells us not to defile our bodies. For example, through drugs. This is personally beneficial. Because drugs can cause health damage. Even death.
Can people change for the better?
In God’s Word we learn that people can change. In verse 11 of the 6th chapter of 1 Corinthians in the Bible it says that some of the Christians from Corinth had changed. They were washed clean. They were sanctified, declared righteous.
Does changes for the better still happen today?
A man started a Bible course with Jehovah’s Witnesses and then changed his life. Today he is happily married, has a daughter and is active as a Jehovah’s Witness in a congregation in Germany.
Changes in life must not be superficial. They must also include our inner thoughts and attitudes.
Like a metamorphosis from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly. Which includes a complete change.
In the Bible book of Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 23 and 24, we learn, that we should continue to be made new in our dominant mental attitude. And that we should put on the new personality that is created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.
To do this, we must work on personal inclinations and motives.
To make this changes can lead to real peace
However, since we all have a tendency to sin (do something that displeases God), this is an ongoing process.
One Jehovah’s Witness who was previously violent and prone to getting drunk managed to change so that he could be baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness. But in one situation he relapsed and beat up a man. However, he did not give up and continued to make good progress. Finally, in a similar situation to the one he had been in before, he was able to remain calm and polite. Instead of becoming violent. What had changed? His attitude has changed fundamentally. He became a thoroughly peaceful and humble person. This shows that with God’s help we can change your inner attitude.
God also wants us not to treat people of all kinds with partiality. Because God loves every kind of persons. At conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses it is shown again and again that it is possible to overcome ethnic barriers. And to form a united brotherhood. That remains peaceful even in countries where there is war.
How can you manage to change for the better?
Changes do not happen automatically. You have to make an effort. Take steps and stick with it.
Jehovah wants you to make your inner thoughts known to him in prayer. You can ask for his Holy Spirit, his active power. And Jehovah God is happy to help. In the Bible book of James, chapter 1, verse 25, it says that the person who looks into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and continues in it, is not a person who hears something and then forgets it. He is one who lives it. And what he does will make him happy.
A man who grew up as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses had bad associations. And these associations contributed to his distancing himself from Jehovah God. But later he managed to bring his life back into line with Bible principles.
What is the benefit of shaping our lives according to what God teaches us?
Living according to godly standards helps us to have a more beautiful and better family life. To lead a healthier life. And Jehovah God gives people who change a wonderful hope for the future. Even many people who have died are to come back to life in the future. In the Bible book of Psalms, chapter 37, verse 29, it says that the righteous will inherit the earth and live forever.