Part 11 of 12 of the theme 'Answers to Questions' by Gijs van den Brink
More than 100 times in the Bible someone is praised happily. We can't mention all those examples in 3 minutes. But the most important ones are.
The only person in the entire universe who is truly perfectly happy is God. Paul calls Him the "happy and only Ruler" in 1Tim.6:15.
When we read about happiness in the Bible, it is not about earthly happiness, but it is about "bliss," heavenly happiness. That is partaking of the happiness that only God has and only He can give.
Thus, those people are happily praised by Jesus who have become heirs to the Kingdom of God (e.g., Mat. 5:3). They are not given the inheritance of an earthly king or president, but the inheritance of the Creator of heaven and earth.
This is also why Jesus says, "happy are those who hear the word of God and keep it"! (Luke 11:28).
Thus it is said of Mary the mother of Jesus, Happy is the woman who believes what has been promised to her by God. For it will be fulfilled. (Luke 1:45)
Peter testified of Jesus, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Then Jesus said to him, "Happy are you, Simon! For you have had a revelation from the Father in heaven (Mat. 16:17).
And so Jesus also calls all people happy who believe without having seen anything (John 20:29). Why are they more happy than those who have seen? Because their faith is not based on seeing miracles, but on a deep conviction in their hearts.
Jesus also says that those who have to suffer for his name's sake are happy (Mat. 5:11). How can that be, suffering doesn't make you happy, does it? Suffering for the sake of your faith in Jesus does, because it brings you closer to God. Your union with Jesus Christ becomes closer. And that makes you happy.
And in Rev. 14:13 it says "Happy the dead who die in the Lord." Dying and being happy, can they go together? Certainly, because we who believe die "in the Lord," that is, with faith in Jesus. And from that moment you enter the heavenly glory, where everyone is perfectly happy.
With Jesus, everything is different from this world.
It is not wealth and intelligence that makes one happy. Jesus says: happy the poor in spirit Mat.5:3) For they expect it only from God. And they have a relationship with their creator.
Not being the best and being the richest makes you happy. Jesus says: Happy are those who are meek, those who want to be the least. (Mat.5:5)
How can that be? Those who have made themselves rich are less happy than those who have received something very small from God. Do you know why?
He or she who has received something from God is grateful. And the relationship with God becomes deeper.
Do you want to become happy? Listen to Jesus' message and keep his words in your heart.
Next time: Part 12 of the series 'Answers to questions' is entitled 'According to Christians, what is God's intention for marriage (1) '
Also see: Part 10 of 12 of the theme 'Answers to questions ‘What is the reason or purpose that we are tried or tested?
Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine
This is part 11 of 12 from the theme "Answers to Questions' Some of which we will be posting online in the near future. We hope this will help you understand the Bible better!
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