Happiness in Righteousness

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Happiness in Righteousness

Some people try to claim  that trying to be righteous  —  trying to live  according to God’s word  —  is a real drag.     They blithely claim  there is no happiness  in trying to be right  in all that we do.     They claim  that Christians are “bitter” and “unhappy”  as they work to promote righteousness  in the way our government is run —  in the way we live  from day to day  —  in the way we raise our families  —  actually  in every aspect of life.

The claim is  that with all our “righteousness”,  true happiness  in this life  is compromised.     Not only that,  it is said  that all of our struggles  for “righteousness”  are actually the cause  of more and more problems  in this world.     If we would just knock off trying  to be so righteous  all the time,  there would be a better chance  for peace and happiness  in this world.

All those worldly statements also claim  that the Christians’ ego is afraid  of defeat  in this world,  and therefore,  they are always putting up a fight  against what they consider wrongness  in this world  and end up losing the joy  of living.     Huh?

These sorts of claims  are not new  in this sinful world.     Therefore,  God’s word has many verses  about the facts  on “righteousness” and “joy”.     Since God is eternal and almighty,  it makes a lot more sense  to listen to His take  on these claims,  instead of taking in the so-called “understanding”  of those who will die eternally  and who have no power  or love  compared to God.     Here are just a few samples  of what God has to say.

Proverbs 15:21
Folly is joy  to him  who lacks sense,     But a man of understanding  walks straight.

Psalm 16:11
Thou wilt make known to me  the path  of life;   
In Thy presence  is fulness  of joy;   
In Thy right hand  there are pleasures forever.

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit  of the Spirit  is love,  joy,  peace,  patience,  kindness,  goodness,  faithfulness,  gentleness,  self-control;  against such things  there is no law.

Hebrews 12:1-2
Let us also lay aside  every encumbrance,  and the sin  which so easily entangles us,  and let us run  with endurance  the race that is set before us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus,  the author and perfecter  of faith,  who for the joy  set before Him  endured the cross,  despising the shame,  and has sat down  at the right hand  of the throne  of God.

Those who do not know the joy  of God  find themselves hating God  and fighting against  all righteousness.     They cannot stand the idea  of someone being good  out of respect  for the Lord God Almighty.     It bugs them so much  that they vehemently speak out  against the truths  of God’s eternal power  to judge them  in the end.     In other words,  they know where they are headed  for all eternity  and want to take down  as many Christians  as they can  in the process.     That is why Proverbs 15:21 says, “Folly is joy  to him  who lacks sense.” 

But,  more importantly,  it adds,  “But a man  of understanding  walks straight.”     That means  that when we use our God-given common sense,  we will realize  the absolute importance  of living righteously  before the LORD  of lords.     Our eternal life   depends on it.

The quotes above from Psalm 16 and Galatians 5  show that there is a true and lasting joy  in being righteous  in this world.     It is righteousness that will endure  through all eternity.     The foolishness  of those who love their sins  will all be condemned,  come Judgment Day.

So,  which is the better way to go?

When Jesus suffered  and died  to pay for all our sins,  He did it all  by setting the joy  of the Lord  before Him.     It was His joy  to save us  from our sins.     It was His joy  to love us  with His whole life.     It was His joy  to always be righteous  for the sake  of our salvation.

What Jesus knew  was real joy  —  not the folly  of this world.     So,  what do we know?     Now let’s live it.

As we joyfully strive  to live  in the righteousness of Jesus Christ  our Lord and Savior,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord, we are so glad  that You are our righteousness  through the salvation  You have freely given us on the cross.     May we always live  according to Your love  and for the sake  of Your love.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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