The Pursuit of Happiness
By Mark Larson
www.cvillechurch.com
The United States Declaration of Independence states: “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
The right to pursue happiness in America is a right we sometimes take for granted. U.S. citizens are blessed with many material and physical things and enjoy many freedoms that most people in other countries do not have. Yet, despite the right to pursue happiness, most people do not find it! Why is this the case?
True Happiness Escapes the Sinner
Misplaced Joy: Most people are not truly happy because their happiness is based on the wrong things in life. Many seek joy through the passing pleasures of sin (Heb. 11:25) or by foolish, reckless behavior (e.g., drunkenness, gluttony, materialism, fornication, gambling, gossip, etc.): “Foolishness brings joy to those who have no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path” (Prov 15:21, NLT). In our materialistic society, many seek after happiness through the accumulation of wealth and possessions, only for it to elude them: “… Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15, NKJV). While sinful conduct may appear to be a source of joy to many, it is in reality a source of pain and eternal condemnation.
The Laughter of Sinners: Even when a particular lifestyle or chosen path in life seems right to us, this does not guarantee true happiness: “There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,And the end of joy may be grief” (Prov. 14:12-13,NASB). Many people who practice sin often appear happy. They enjoy their sins and have their fun, yet their happiness does not last (Job 20:5). At the end of the day, when the laughter stops and the joy of sin ceases, there still remains a heavy heart that is not right with God. Laughter often covers up a heart that is in pain, a conscience that is guilty, a soul that is not at peace with God: “There is no peace for the wicked, says the LORD” (Isa. 48:22). The reason why people never find happiness or true joy is because of their sinful condition before the God.
True Happiness Begins in the Lord
To find true happiness or obtain real joy, every person must go to the Lord. Consider what great joy the Ethiopian eunuch had after obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ: “And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:36-39). He went on his way rejoicing because baptism into Christ is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16) and eternal salvation (1 Pet. 3:21). This may sound too simplistic to some, but the truth of the matter is: Getting right with God is when true happiness begins!
True and Everlasting Happiness Is Found Only in the Lord
The Lord Is the Source of Sustaining Joy: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4). “And my soul shall rejoice in the LORD; It shall exult in His salvation” (Ps. 35:9) (See also Ps. 13:5; 104:34; Isa. 61:10). True joy cannot be found in the world (1 John 2:15-17). Only God can give us genuine happiness: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 24-25). We must go to God in faith and depend on Him for everlasting joy.
Partaking of God’s Word in Faith Produces Joy: The Lord, who is the source of our joy, is also the author of the Scriptures. When we receive God’s word in faith (1 Thes. 2:13; Heb. 4:13), great joy may be produced in our hearts: “I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, As much as in all riches… I have inherited Thy testimonies forever, For they are the joy of my heart” (Ps. 119:14, 111). Those who are sad and gloomy need to renew their commitment to reading the Scriptures and meditating on God’s word daily. God’s children can read the Bible and rejoice in all of the great things the Savior has done for them. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3).
Doing God’s Will Produces Joy: There is an “abundance of joy” in giving of ourselves to the Lord and His cause (2 Cor. 8:1-5). Even when serving God is difficult, there is still joy and fulfillment that only God’s children can understand: “But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. And you too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me” (Phil. 2:17-18; See also Acts 5:40-42). Just knowing that we are a part of something greater than ourselves, namely the work of the Lord, can give us, who are Christians, great joy. Consider, for example, the joy Christians can have when they help lead lost souls to Christ and watch God give the increase: “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. And the news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he had come and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord” (Acts 11:21-23).
Fellowship in God’s Family Can Lead to Great Joy: Even though the Christian is often persecuted (2 Tim. 3:12), even excluded by his own family (Luke 6:22), he gains an even greater family in the Lord (Mark 10:29-30; Mat. 12:46-50). Being a part of God’s family and sharing together a “like precious faith” (2 Pet. 1:1) is truly a wonderful blessing. Brethren can be a great support to one another as they stir up one another to love and good deeds. They exhort one another to be faithful until the day when Christ comes again (See Heb. 10:24-25). Joy is made complete in our lives when we have with one another a fellowship of love, encouragement, compassion, and unity to carry out God’s will: “If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Phil. 2:1-2).
Hope in Heaven Fills the Heart with Joy: Unlike the people of the world who have no hope (1 Thes. 4:13b), Christians have a real, abiding hope of going to Heaven one day. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice…” (1 Peter 1:3-6a). When Christians meditate upon the living hope of heaven, great joy is sure to follow!
Continual Joy Is the Way of Life for the Christian: Not just on special or rare occasions, but continually Christians are to rejoice. “And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52). Everyday, Christians are to rejoice as commanded by the Lord: “Rejoice always” (1 Thes. 5:16). Though there are times of sorrow (e.g., John 11:35; Rom. 9:2; 2 Cor. 7:9), joy can always be found again in the Lord (Phil. 3:1; 4:4; Rom. 15:13).
Our Joy in the Lord Is a Demonstration That We Are Children of God: When we bear spiritual fruit, including joy (which is a fruit of the Spirit - Gal. 5:22), we prove ourselves to be disciples of Christ (See John 15:1-5). In fact, our fellowship with God requires that we rejoice: “Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you” (2 Cor 13:11).
In your “pursuit of happiness,” don’t leave God out of the picture, but make Him your number one priority and your first love in life. When you yield your life to the Lord, genuine joy will be the result in this life and in the life to come.
www.cvillechurch.com
The United States Declaration of Independence states: “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
The right to pursue happiness in America is a right we sometimes take for granted. U.S. citizens are blessed with many material and physical things and enjoy many freedoms that most people in other countries do not have. Yet, despite the right to pursue happiness, most people do not find it! Why is this the case?
True Happiness Escapes the Sinner
Misplaced Joy: Most people are not truly happy because their happiness is based on the wrong things in life. Many seek joy through the passing pleasures of sin (Heb. 11:25) or by foolish, reckless behavior (e.g., drunkenness, gluttony, materialism, fornication, gambling, gossip, etc.): “Foolishness brings joy to those who have no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path” (Prov 15:21, NLT). In our materialistic society, many seek after happiness through the accumulation of wealth and possessions, only for it to elude them: “… Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15, NKJV). While sinful conduct may appear to be a source of joy to many, it is in reality a source of pain and eternal condemnation.
The Laughter of Sinners: Even when a particular lifestyle or chosen path in life seems right to us, this does not guarantee true happiness: “There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,And the end of joy may be grief” (Prov. 14:12-13,NASB). Many people who practice sin often appear happy. They enjoy their sins and have their fun, yet their happiness does not last (Job 20:5). At the end of the day, when the laughter stops and the joy of sin ceases, there still remains a heavy heart that is not right with God. Laughter often covers up a heart that is in pain, a conscience that is guilty, a soul that is not at peace with God: “There is no peace for the wicked, says the LORD” (Isa. 48:22). The reason why people never find happiness or true joy is because of their sinful condition before the God.
True Happiness Begins in the Lord
To find true happiness or obtain real joy, every person must go to the Lord. Consider what great joy the Ethiopian eunuch had after obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ: “And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:36-39). He went on his way rejoicing because baptism into Christ is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16) and eternal salvation (1 Pet. 3:21). This may sound too simplistic to some, but the truth of the matter is: Getting right with God is when true happiness begins!
True and Everlasting Happiness Is Found Only in the Lord
The Lord Is the Source of Sustaining Joy: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4). “And my soul shall rejoice in the LORD; It shall exult in His salvation” (Ps. 35:9) (See also Ps. 13:5; 104:34; Isa. 61:10). True joy cannot be found in the world (1 John 2:15-17). Only God can give us genuine happiness: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 24-25). We must go to God in faith and depend on Him for everlasting joy.
Partaking of God’s Word in Faith Produces Joy: The Lord, who is the source of our joy, is also the author of the Scriptures. When we receive God’s word in faith (1 Thes. 2:13; Heb. 4:13), great joy may be produced in our hearts: “I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, As much as in all riches… I have inherited Thy testimonies forever, For they are the joy of my heart” (Ps. 119:14, 111). Those who are sad and gloomy need to renew their commitment to reading the Scriptures and meditating on God’s word daily. God’s children can read the Bible and rejoice in all of the great things the Savior has done for them. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3).
Doing God’s Will Produces Joy: There is an “abundance of joy” in giving of ourselves to the Lord and His cause (2 Cor. 8:1-5). Even when serving God is difficult, there is still joy and fulfillment that only God’s children can understand: “But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. And you too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me” (Phil. 2:17-18; See also Acts 5:40-42). Just knowing that we are a part of something greater than ourselves, namely the work of the Lord, can give us, who are Christians, great joy. Consider, for example, the joy Christians can have when they help lead lost souls to Christ and watch God give the increase: “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. And the news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he had come and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord” (Acts 11:21-23).
Fellowship in God’s Family Can Lead to Great Joy: Even though the Christian is often persecuted (2 Tim. 3:12), even excluded by his own family (Luke 6:22), he gains an even greater family in the Lord (Mark 10:29-30; Mat. 12:46-50). Being a part of God’s family and sharing together a “like precious faith” (2 Pet. 1:1) is truly a wonderful blessing. Brethren can be a great support to one another as they stir up one another to love and good deeds. They exhort one another to be faithful until the day when Christ comes again (See Heb. 10:24-25). Joy is made complete in our lives when we have with one another a fellowship of love, encouragement, compassion, and unity to carry out God’s will: “If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Phil. 2:1-2).
Hope in Heaven Fills the Heart with Joy: Unlike the people of the world who have no hope (1 Thes. 4:13b), Christians have a real, abiding hope of going to Heaven one day. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice…” (1 Peter 1:3-6a). When Christians meditate upon the living hope of heaven, great joy is sure to follow!
Continual Joy Is the Way of Life for the Christian: Not just on special or rare occasions, but continually Christians are to rejoice. “And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52). Everyday, Christians are to rejoice as commanded by the Lord: “Rejoice always” (1 Thes. 5:16). Though there are times of sorrow (e.g., John 11:35; Rom. 9:2; 2 Cor. 7:9), joy can always be found again in the Lord (Phil. 3:1; 4:4; Rom. 15:13).
Our Joy in the Lord Is a Demonstration That We Are Children of God: When we bear spiritual fruit, including joy (which is a fruit of the Spirit - Gal. 5:22), we prove ourselves to be disciples of Christ (See John 15:1-5). In fact, our fellowship with God requires that we rejoice: “Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you” (2 Cor 13:11).
In your “pursuit of happiness,” don’t leave God out of the picture, but make Him your number one priority and your first love in life. When you yield your life to the Lord, genuine joy will be the result in this life and in the life to come.
posted by Mark E Larson | 9:59 AM
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