THE TRUE WAY OF LIFE

 

Psalm 112:1–10; 1 Corinthians 2:1–12; Matthew 5:13-20

Introduction

Think about this for a moment: what is the true way of life? This question definitely generates different answers from different people. I believe some answers are already jumping into your mind, such as wealth, security, pleasure, influence, marriage, and a good job. Truly, truly, I say unto you, such responses do not have any Biblical basis. What the world calls life often produces emptiness, null and void, a chasing after the wind. Meanwhile, what God calls life often begins with surrender to God's glory. Note that Jesus does not climb a throne to teach the way of life, but He climbs a mountain and proclaims blessing on the poor in spirit. The Bible’s definition of the true way of life is not built on possession, but transformation. It is not on status, but surrender. Not on human wisdom, but divine illumination. Blessed are you to receive the true way of life.

The God-Fearing Life

Psalm 112 opens with a beatitude: “Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments.” The Hebrew term for “blessed” (ashre) denotes deep, stable flourishing joy, but not fleeting happiness. The “fear of the LORD” in the wisdom literature is covenant reverence expressed through obedient trust (Proverbs 1:7).

This psalm is structured as a wisdom portrait. It describes the character and outcomes of a God-centered life, which is the true way of life. 

• Rooted in reverence (Psm. 122:1)
• Expressed in generosity (Psm. 122:5, 9)
• Marked by stability (Psm. 122:6–8)
• Visible in justice and mercy (Psm. 122:4)

Listen to what the psalmist says to the God-Fearing Life, "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor." May God fulfill this in your life as you walk righteously before Him.

Importantly, prosperity here is not mere materialism. The righteous person is gracious, lends freely, and conducts affairs with justice. The text frames wealth as stewardship rather than self-indulgence. This aligns with Deuteronomy 8:18, God gives power to get wealth for the covenant purpose.

The psalmist is not giving a mechanical formula for a way of life but a covenantal pattern.  Yes, the righteous may suffer (Psalm 73), yet their foundation remains secure in Christ Jesus. As John Calvin wrote, “True blessedness does not consist in outward abundance, but in the favour of God alone.”

The wicked, by contrast, are driven by envy and anger (Psm 112:10). Their desires “will come to nothing,” they waste away. This psalm establishes that the true way of life is anchored in reverent obedience and outward generosity.

The Posture of True Life

Matthew 5 introduces us to what is referred to as the Sermon on the Mount: “Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain… and He opened His mouth and taught them.” This is a deliberate indication of the place and posture in reflection of the Old Testament. Like Moses on Mt. Sinai for the law, Jesus ascends a mountain to authoritatively interpret God’s will beyond the law. Matthew presents Jesus as the greater lawgiver.

The setting is Jesus sitting, which is a rabbinic posture of authority, and He teaches the disciples within earshot of the crowds. The true way of life is diligently taught.

Being the salt and light follows the humble beginning of poverty in spirit, mourning, meekness, and hunger for righteousness. This reverses the traditional expectations. Jesus shows us that the way to the Kingdom’s life begins with spiritual dependence. We must understand that the true way of life is our total dependence and clinging to the old rugged cross, where self-sufficiency makes way for divine providence.

Note that the Beatitudes are not entry requirements but the Kingdom's true way of life descriptions. They portray the character formed by grace. They echo Psalm 112’s description of the righteous person, emphasizing a deep interior dimension of the true way of life: motives, humility, and hunger for God.

The Source of True Life

Apostle Paul addresses a letter to the Corinthian church full of rhetorical brilliance and philosophical status. He reminds them that his message came not with “lofty speech or wisdom,” but centered on “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:1–2).

The cross is the pivot of the true way of life. God’s saving act appears weak by worldly standards, and yet it is the very power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). Paul’s ministry method matched his message: dependence on Christ, Spirit-empowered, but not performance-driven.

The true way of life is revealed by the wisdom of the Spirit. The Greek term 'apokalypto' means 'to unveil'. Spiritual truth is not discovered by intellectual ascent alone but granted by divine disclosure. This connects directly with Matthew 5, where the Kingdom life is revealed to the humble and little children (cf. Matthew 11:25).

The true way of life is not known to the proud, but by the humble. The Spirit enables Christians to understand what God has freely given. 

The True Way of Life

The discussion so far is enforced with Proverbs 9:10, John 14:6, and Romans 8:14. The true way of life is God-centered, Christ-defined, and Spirit-revealed. It produces courage instead of fear, generosity instead of greed, humility instead of pride.

Martin Luther sums it up when he says, “The world does not need a definition of religion as much as a demonstration of life.” The Bible holds the true way of life, Jesus teaches it, and the Spirit makes it known to us.

Conclusion

Many voices promise life around us today, but only one voice raised the dead to life. The world’s way says climb higher, secure more, prove yourself to make it in life. Meanwhile, Christ shows the way by indicating humility, service, peace-loving, total dependence on God’s providence, and living right with God. The righteous life is not accidental, but rather it is formed by fearing God, following Christ, and depending on the Holy Spirit.

If we want the true way of life, we must look where God has revealed it, and not in the noise of culture, but in the wisdom of the cross, the teaching of the King of Kings, and the illumination of the Holy Spirit. That path may look narrow, but it leads to the unshakable everlasting life.

Shalom aleikham...