While traveling recently, I found a random Christian radio station in my car. Between songs, the host commented that Jesus did not come to bring us happiness “as some preach hoping to bring others into the kingdom.”
He went on to give his reasonings for making such a statement and I didn’t disagree, but at the same time, something didn’t sit well with me about it either.
First of all, it’s true that using “happiness” as a lure to become a Christian is incorrect. The truth is, we were all born into sin and need a Savior. Jesus said He came to destroy the works of the devil that bound us all up and separated us from our Father God. The only way to be restored to the Father and enter the kingdom of God is to acknowledge our lost and sinful state and receive the sacrifice Jesus paid to set us free.
But can we talk about the statement that Jesus didn’t come to give us happiness? I have never been happier than when I gave my life to Jesus. When I received salvation and freedom in Christ, the automatic by-product was something real and similar to happiness.
As I thought about this, I remembered the fruit of the Spirit. We could say Jesus promised us these things: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Some would look at this list and think, “Not everything on that list sounds fun (or happy).” But when you understand the end result of each, you’d have to agree that happiness is definitely a by-product.
Or what about when Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10)? I looked up the words life and abundantly in the Greek. Life is the word zoe and means human life, the sense of existence without end. Abundantly describes something more than enough, exceeding a certain measure.
If we take a minute and meditate on this scripture alone, we have to come to the conclusion Jesus wanted us to have more than we had without Him. And again, from experience, this life (this abundant life) I live now has brought me great joy and happiness.
So what is happiness? The dictionary defines it as being delighted, pleased, or glad. It is characterized by pleasure, contentment, or joy.
I understand the radio commentator’s point of not using happiness as a single reason or promise for people to give their hearts to Jesus. We must acknowledge our sin.
A shallow understanding of sin creates a shallow understanding of God’s mercy.
But in balance, I want people to understand that a great understanding of sin creates a great voice of praise! And praise is the result of gratitude, admiration, and worship stemming from (dare we say it?) a happy heart.
So I believe we can promise happiness, despite obvious trials in life. Concerning the challenges we all face, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulations but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). So you and I have a choice: focus on the tribulations or focus on the victory we have in Christ!
I’ll take the latter. In fact, the Word agrees with me. “Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!” (Psalm 144:15).
