I am assuming that “good” here means “happy” rather than “good” in the moral sense. If the latter, the short answer is given by Jesus:
John 6:28-29
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
But I interpret the question to relate to living a happy, fulfilling life.
Way back when I was 17, someone asked me that very question. I was always told that it was religion, so that’s the answer I gave. He said, it isn’t. It’s your health. He was a good many years older than me, and he was having trouble with his arm.
I committed my life to Christ a year later, so I would now always say that the most important thing is my faith in Christ, because that doesn’t only count for this life, it affects my existence throughout eternity.
Yet, as I grow older, I can understand why my work colleague mentioned health. Even minor chronic conditions can spoil our lives to some degree. I didn’t have many of these when I was 17 😀.
To live a good life, we need to ensure that six categories are addressed:
- Physical Health
- Mental Wellbeing
- Relationships
- Career
- Finances
- Spiritual
Perhaps atheists might omit the last one, but maybe even they would want to think in terms of life having a deeper purpose. How they manage that, I don’t know.
And for believers, we shouldn’t downplay the things that relate to this life. You do sometimes get Christians who are very suspicious of any help that doesn’t come from churches. In extreme cases you might have people that prefer to rely on prayer rather than medical help for physical and mental ailments. Some might see having fun as wasting time, without realizing that such things can be good for our mental wellbeing if done in moderation.
People might have family conflicts because of their faith, but they don’t make much effort to get on with those who don’t share their beliefs. Some might see pursuing a career as worldly or materialistic, and later in life they run into problems. And people might be foolish with their finances. Let’s say someone gives all their money to some TV evangelist, thinking that they are serving God. Christians should seek to support Christian work and the poor, but you are in a much better position to be helpful in the longer term, if you are wise in how you manage your finances. In the New Testament, Christians were generous to the poor, but they also carefully scrutinized those who sought to take advantage of people, whether it was people posing as being in need, or false apostles or dodgy preachers.
So, all six pillars are helpful for living a good life. And though we might struggle at times, it is always helpful to be grateful that our most important need, salvation, has been addressed. And we can be thankful for the progress that we make in the other areas.
A modern secular song Life’s a Miracle by Prefab Sprout reminds us that we should make the most of what we have now.
Life's a miracle, we gotta make the most
Of the passing moment
Gotta do our best, there'll be time enough to rest
But for many people, and maybe all of us at times, life doesn’t feel very much like a miracle. Yet, we can still focus on the positive:
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath don
2 Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]
3 When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]
4 So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Hibernia Gospel 