Obedience and Happiness
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”
John 13:14–17
The false belief that happiness could be found in getting just one more thing than we have now—a newer car, a bigger house, a larger paycheck, a different spouse, or a better church—has been around since the Garden of Eden. Even in a perfect world with no sin and only one restriction, Adam and Eve still looked on the forbidden fruit with longing, and eventually ate it despite God’s command. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6).
Lasting happiness is never found in getting what God has decreed to be off limits. Instead it is found when we submit our will and our desires to His command, and obey. Dr. John Rice said, “Sin in the Christian brings the smiting of the conscience. It brings the rebuke of the Holy Spirit. No Christian can be a happy Christian, except as he day by day seeks to live in the smile of God’s approval. Godly living does not earn salvation, but it does bring happiness.” True happiness is not discovered by getting forbidden fruit, but rather by simple obedience. God knows better than we do what will promote and what will hinder happiness in our lives, and He only wants what is best for us.
John 13:14–17
The false belief that happiness could be found in getting just one more thing than we have now—a newer car, a bigger house, a larger paycheck, a different spouse, or a better church—has been around since the Garden of Eden. Even in a perfect world with no sin and only one restriction, Adam and Eve still looked on the forbidden fruit with longing, and eventually ate it despite God’s command. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6).
Lasting happiness is never found in getting what God has decreed to be off limits. Instead it is found when we submit our will and our desires to His command, and obey. Dr. John Rice said, “Sin in the Christian brings the smiting of the conscience. It brings the rebuke of the Holy Spirit. No Christian can be a happy Christian, except as he day by day seeks to live in the smile of God’s approval. Godly living does not earn salvation, but it does bring happiness.” True happiness is not discovered by getting forbidden fruit, but rather by simple obedience. God knows better than we do what will promote and what will hinder happiness in our lives, and He only wants what is best for us.
Today’s Growth Principle:
When we trust God enough to follow His commands, we reap the benefit of an improved relationship with Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment