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In Part I,
we began a short series on happiness, using Joseph as a
role model.
As we conclude our thoughts in this article, I want to
talk about happiness from the perspective of our blessings.
The Beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-12)
Makarios is translated "blessed" and "happy," communicating
the fact that Christians are happy because of God. Therefore,
we understand that true happiness is a result of God's blessings,
not a result of anything else.
Secularly, happiness is luck or good fortune. But as Christians
we're happy because of God's favor, as opposed to luck.
For example, Mary considered herself blessed (happy) because
God appointed her to bear His Son (Lk. 1:42-47).
By worldly standards she was far from blessed, because
she bore a child out of wedlock. Some people considered
her a fornicator or adulterous. Even Joseph, to whom she
was betrothed, considered her a sinful woman before learning
the truth.
From Mary's example, we see that happiness (the state
of blessedness) is a perspective. A person may consider
himself happy because of God's blessings, or unhappy because
of the world's perspective.
Who Is Happy Upon The Earth? Why?
In the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us who is blessed and therefore
happy:
- gentle
- hunger and thirst for righteousness
- merciful
- pure in heart
- peacemakers
- persecuted for the sake of righteousness
Jesus' disciples should be sad and depressed by worldly
standards, but they're happy because of their blessings:
- inherit the earth
- satisfied (filled)
- shall receive mercy
- see God
- called sons of God
- theirs is the kingdom of heaven, reward in heaven is
great
Happy For Eternity
People living in sin are happy by worldly standards, but
only until they die. Then they'll be sad for eternity, suffering
eternal punishment for their sins. Christians, though, are
happy while living upon the earth, and for eternity.
Christians are happy for eternity because they'll rest
from their labors, rewarded for their service upon earth.
And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, Blessed
are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!"' "Yes,"
says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors,
for their deeds follow with them." (Rev. 14:13)
Christians are happy for eternity because death has
no power over them, as priests in heaven, reigning with
Christ.
Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first
resurrection; over these the second death has no power,
but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will
reign with Him for a thousand years. (Rev. 20:6)
There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of
God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants
will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will
be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any
night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp
nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine
them; and they will reign forever and ever. (Rev. 22:3-5)
Christians are happy for eternity because they'll have
the right to the tree of life, and live in God's eternal
city forever.
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they
may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter
by the gates into the city. (Rev. 22:14)
Summary: The Key To Happiness
The key to happiness is loving God, casting our cares upon
Him, knowing He's working all things together for good,
as we conquer our trials with the "peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding" (Phil. 4:7).
Therefore we believe as Paul, with the confidence he displayed
when writing from prison, "I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).
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