January 5, 2012
Some Christians seem to think that joy and happiness is displeasing to God.
They can be recognized by the serious expression on their faces. A sort of severity accompanies all they do. One would never expect them to have a good "belly-laugh" or to find something so funny there would be tears streaming down their face as laughter overcomes them. There is a right time and place for laughter. True and genuine laughter leaves only a good effect behind. Jesus promised that His followers would laugh and leap for joy (Luke 6:21.23). Ecclesiastes 9:7 and 9 tell us to live joyfully because God has accepted us.
It seems that being sour reflects a doubt that God loves us and has accepted us. It can become a lack of faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ There is a danger of convincing ourselves that God loves us in spite of the fact that we are not obeying Him. Many people manage to do that. Happiness that is healthy and permanent results from understanding and accepting the wonderful gift of forgiveness Christ offers and struggling to live according to God's laws. Paul came to that point after years of inner struggle. He told Timothy, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). He was happy—and that happiness is there for each of us.
