Well, yes and no.
In an ultimate sense, yes.
All God does is for his glory and our joy. So God has our ultimate happiness in him in mind as he works in our lives to make us like Christ.
But in an immediate sense, not always.
He wants us to be holy, rather than happy. He wants us to be obedient and trust him, rather than fulfill our every immediate desire.
Years ago, a woman in our church started dating a divorced man. When I questioned him he told me he’d divorced his wife against her wishes. There had been no adultery and she had not remarried. In other words, he was not free to remarry.
They visited a number of other pastors until they found one who told them what they wanted to hear. I got a call from him. He was planning to marry them. When I told him they weren’t free to be married, he said, “But God wants them to be happy, doesn’t he?”
“God wants them to be obedient,” I said.
Sin makes us “happy” for a season.
God is opposed to this kind of “happiness.” God wants us to be happy in him, by obeying him. Often we must crucify our flesh – which will squeal and scream, “This doesn’t make me happy!” The same Savior who said, “I give you my joy,” also said, “Take up your cross and deny yourself.” Self-denial, not self-gratification, is the way to joy.
God wants us to experience maximum happiness in him – which comes from obeying his Word, though it cost us everything in this world.
photo by anna_t
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Ouch and Amen (in that order!)
Thank you for the courage to speak the truth there. I know the pressure on Pastors in that situation is enormous.
Thanks Matt,
Yep, there are many times I'd prefer to be a construction worker than speak the truth in love….of course construction workers have to speak the truth in love too at times….
Good post!
i think another way of looking at it is that sin brings happiness to our natural selves.
But at the same time it causes a deep unrest in our spirits (by bearing the fruits of death, as explained in Romans 7:5).
Whereas God longs for us to experience joy in the spirit (Romans 8:5).
You're right on all points Daryl. Thanks for adding your comments.
The Lord has been speaking much to me these days about my heart . By God's grace, I am learning more and more about self-denial. There is blessing in obedience. It never fails to grieve me how my hearts deceives me. But, God is so merciful to expose and then give grace! ….. Thank you, Mark!
Hey Debi,
What a gracious, merciful God we serve!
Mark, we just love you and are so glad you're our pastor!! Thank you for sticking with what scripture teaches and speaking the truth in love even when it's hard. (Remind me that I said all that the next time you have to speak the truth in love to me….)
Lisa – you guys make it a joy being your pastor…thanks! When people speak the truth in love to me I usually just sit there blinking like a toad in a Texas hailstorm, as one man said, or go running from the room bawling…
Great insight! Thanks for this!
Thanks joverjoy!
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