Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105) Mount
Baker
Beacon Volume 03, Number 16
04/21/2024 Published by
Mt. Baker
church of Christ Location:
1860 Mt. Baker HWY
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 30821
Bellingham, WA 98228
(360) 752-2692 Sunday:
Bible Classes..........9:30 AM
Worship..10:30AM; 6:00PM
Wednesday:
Bible Classes.........7:00 PM
Web site: Mt. Baker church
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Editor......John Bass
| In this issue:
“CHASING HAPPINESS”
T. Sean Sullivan Introduction:
Have you ever said something along the lines of, “I will be happy when I…”? Or, “I would be happier if…”? These are very typical statements; however, they are also dangerous if endeavoring for happiness takes you in the wrong direction.
Some seem to be satisfied with a life that lacks happiness and is sort of “middle-of-the-road”. However, our Father in Heaven desires for us to have a much greater life. Our Father wants us to be happy, directed, accomplished, and in all things victorious (James 1:17-25 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures… then it says… he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”). Our hope of happiness, in this life and beyond, is very real, because our Father has given us the instruction manual for life. Jesus said that by keeping God's commandments, our happiness would be full (John 15:7-11).
Let's consider this idea by opening the Scriptures together.
It is Not Out There
We seem to live in an environment of rebellion today. It is clear that today's world is trying to throw off the constraints of the past; and with their supposed “freedom”, some essential elements of life are being challenged. One of the most essential things that is being thrown off is the Bible-even in “organized religion” the Bible has been dismissed for something more fun, more interesting, or more emotionally moving. We must know that God wants us to be happy. But this happiness is directly tied to listening to and obeying God's instructions. In a world where so many think they know better than God, we need to remember what is taught by the parable of the Prodigal (Luke 15:11-24). In search of happiness, this young man threw off the restraints of home and ventured out into the world. No longer having his proper foundation or family around him, he found himself in sin and happiness was not there. When he finally came to himself, he was alone and hungry enough to desire the pigs' food. Happiness was only found when he returned to his proper place. Solomon also records a similar experience in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). In search of true happiness and fulfillment in this life-Solomon searched the world. By gathering strength, power, riches, and fame, he found no satisfaction. After testing all the worldly things he said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all [purpose]” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Knowing this, why should we waste our time by repeating this same experiment? Happiness is not out there-true enduring happiness is with God.
It is Not Found by Part-time Pursuit
Even after coming to God, through Christ, some still don't get it. True happiness in Christ requires a true commitment to Christ (Romans 12:1-2). Trying to stand with God and keep a hold on the world is a recipe for misery (Matthew 6:24). Happiness is found in embracing all of God's direction (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Happiness is fully committing our life to godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Happiness is trusting God's care (Matthew 6:25-33; Romans 8:31-39; 1 Peter 5:7).
What is a full commitment? Paul is a good example when he depicts his commitment this way, “No longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Our mindset needs to be “Christ who is our life” (Colossians 3:4). Happiness rendering commitment is putting God first (Matthew 6:33). It is doing God's will (Matthew 7:21-23). It is remaining faithful to God, all the way (Hebrews 10:35-39).
Once You Find it, it will only get Better.
In this life, many things diminish over time-our happiness in the Lord will not be one of those things. Spiritual maturing is a lifelong endeavor; we should always increase the things that cause happiness: The study of God's word (John 15:10-11; 1 John 1:4). Our prayers (Philippians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Our relationship with our brethren (Romans 12:9-15; Philippians 4:1). Our eager expectation-anticipation (1 Timothy 4:8; 2 Peter 3:12).
As we grow in happiness, we become more of what we should be: More excited about serving God (Hebrews 11:6-diligently seeking Him). More caring toward our brethren (Romans 12:9-15; Hebrews 10:24-25-a mutual source of happiness). More concerned about our fellow man (Mark 16:15-16-eager to offer them the gospel).
Conclusion:
The world may not understand why we seek the Lord, to serve Him. But then they also fail to understand the happiness that we gain in what we do. Your happiness is important to God; He desires rejoicing in His presence. Luke 15:10 declares that there is rejoicing in Heaven over the repentance of sinners. Today, we want to rejoice with you, and with them. Haven't you waited long enough? There is no true happiness apart from God. Come to God today, through His Son, Jesus, the Christ. Let us all find the happiness God intends for His children, today. Top
MORE COMBATIVE THAN LOVING?
John Edwards When we teach the truth and expose error, we are sometimes said to be more combative than loving. This would imply that one who is combative is not loving, and one who is loving is not combative. This thinking is not compatible with Bible teaching.
ARE YOU MORE LOVING THAN COMBATIVE? You would think that those who are so concerned about us being less combative and more loving would be more loving and less combative. When you call us out for being too combative and not enough loving, refer to us as "sneering" and accuse us of making "snide and mean-spirited" comments, are you more loving than combative or more combative than loving?
WERE GOD, THE PROPHETS, CHRIST OR THE APOSTLES MORE COMBATIVE THAN LOVING? If being combative is unloving and loving is being non-combative, was God more combative than loving when He challenged the idol worshippers, "Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth" (Is. 43:9)?
Was Elijah, the prophet, more combative than loving when he challenged the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18?
Was Christ more combative than loving when He charged the scribes and Pharisees with transgressing the commandment of God by their tradition, called them "hypocrites" and said their worship was "in vain" (Mt. 15:1-14)?
Was Paul more combative than loving when he said to Elymas the sorcerer, "O full of all subtlity and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?" (Acts 13:10)?
If you would not charge these with being more combative than loving, then why is the charge made against us when we do what these did? If you would not want to be "allied with such a sarcastic attitude", then do you not want others to be allied with you when you reflect such sarcasm? Would you want to be allied with Elijah, when he "mocked" and massacred the prophets of Baal (1 Ki. 18:27)? Why would you not want to be allied with "such a sarcastic attitude", when Jesus was unashamed to be allied with such a man of God (Mt. 17:1-5)?
The truth of the matter is that to be combative is to be loving, and to be loving is to be combative. Paul commanded Timothy to have "charity [that's love] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience" (1 Tim. 1:5), and just a few verses later commanded him to "war a good warfare" (v. 18). In the sixth chapter, Paul charged Timothy to follow after "righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness" (v. 11). In the very next sentence, he declared, "Fight the good fight of faith…" (v. 12). Combative soldiers of the cross are righteous, godly, faithful, loving, patient, meek men. Jude said, "mercy…peace, and love, be multiplied" (Jude 2) and then commanded that they "should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (v. 3). Earnest faith contenders are merciful, peaceful, and loving. How loving is it to stand at ease with sword in sheathe while men and women are "taken captive" at the devil's will (2 Tim. 2:26)? Top
Created by John Bass, last updated. 05/04/2024 The Mount Baker Beacon is a weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA.
Send all questions, comments to the editor, John Bass at (360) 325-5149 or johnbass2468@gmail.com |
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