Paul writes a line that feels like a punch in the mouth in Romans 1:25: “They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise!” Yikes. Who wants to live a lie? Yet we all do it!

Paul is not saying that we lie all the time. Rather, he is making the point that God created us to know and worship God, our inventor, and live lives of freedom within the loving parameters He has designed for the good life. He knows what actually satisfies us most. Why? Because He invented our very makeup, our world, and the ways we should interact with one another.

Believing this takes trust in the inventor’s instructions. God did not leave us ­blind—­He has given us His Word. We should value and search out the inventor’s instructions for our lives in all areas. Do you want to know how to have a clean heart? Listen to His Word about forgiveness in Jesus. Do you want to know how to live at peace with people? Look to His Word for guidance on relationships and love. Do you want to know how to handle your time, know your purpose, know what matters, or know how to be satisfied in this life and the next? God gives answer after answer for how He wants us to live out the good life, even in this world that runs so counter to His original design. Follow His instructions.