Personal Happiness and the Bible - A Conclusion of Sorts

Judgment Day

Just because individuals have decided their thoughts, and resultant actions, are superior to those in the Bible, that does not mean that the Author of those words has decided to honor such determinations. Though individuals have decided to live with "no fear of God before their eyes" that does not mean ... there is no God to be feared (Ro 3:18 and Lk 12:4,5). Bottom line ...

The abuses of morally accountable beings will not go unrequited. Atrocities large and small, world over, are being catalogued in their minutest detail by our Creator. Included in this detailing are the impacting influences of said activities. All this will be displayed in the presence of the abuser by his/her Creator on a fixed day in the future ... "the great and terrible day of the Lord" (Mal 4:5). Judgment Day is the creation of God - the climax to this age of rebellion. Along with the purposes of the cross, Judgment Day is the point of this entire exercise.

I have a friend and Christian brother who has been in the movie industry for over two decades. After studying its processes and dynamics, along with his Bible exposure, he is convinced that movies are an archetype of an innate, albeit subconscious, understanding of our own personal existence. "We are all making our own movie" - with our self as the main character. He believes this is the underlying reason we are fascinated and drawn by this art form. Our full length feature film will debut ... at the Judgment. Each detail of each scene will roll before the King of all kings - even the unspoken thoughts and secrets residing in the main character. There are "billions and billions" of these movies, from men and angels alike, and the Reviewer and Critic will thoroughly vet each one.

This brother also maintains he himself will be found in the movie of every person with whom he has intersected. Whether appearing in one scene, or many, he wants to be critiqued positively in each movie. "This has helped me a lot." Well, this has dramatically impacted how I see my role in those around me too. Also, it will be incredible to view our "performances" in the movies of those whom we have never physically met - whether attacking angels (1Pet 5:8), or ministering angels (He 1:14), or individuals influenced by our work and witness - for good or ill.

Concerning the Judgment itself, God relieves me from the need to "get even" when I am the subject of moral violation. "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord’" (Ro 12:19). It is actually a violation on my part to step in to His territory and job. This makes me very happy.

Low Moral Expectations

... of others. This may at first sound quite cynical. But it’s not. One of the greatest Biblical masteries one can gain - is a realistic understanding of the nature of man. In fact, a lack in this arena will exact great penalties individually, organizationally, nationally and globally ... and spawns a great salt fountain of unhappiness. Again, the bottom line: "(Y)our iniquities have made a separation between you and your God" (Isa 59:2). It is not possible for creatures made in the image of God to operate in that image when separated from the source of it.

Long ago, I compared this to turning on an unplugged vacuum cleaner ... expecting it to work. But actually, the matter is far worse. Man, in his natural state, does turn on, but the power source is supplied by his "father, the devil" (Jn 8:44). "The whole world lies in (literally, "reclines in") the power of the evil one" (1Jn 5:19). This is AC power - anti, alternative, abhorrent current - absent God’s morality, knowledge and wisdom. A vivid example of this AC current at work can be seen in Judas. On two occasions we are told, Satan "entered into" him (Lk 22:3 and Jn 13:27). There is no indication this was a hostile take-over. Satan simply accessed one of his own - providing an additional power surge as he sensed opportunity to forward his agenda. Judas was supplied "a jolt" to do ... what he already wanted to do. We probably see the same dynamic in the Sabeans and Chaldeans who attacked Job’s family and possessions (Job 1:15,17). I am convinced this is common all around us.

None of us know how fast Satan can move from individual to individual, or how many like minded fallen angels join in this. But, I do know he (they) cannot be everywhere at once, and he (they) probably must to pick and choose what "open doors" to be entering/exiting as he (they) seek to kill and destroy as much as possible. I hope we find he (they) will have made many errors along the way ... much short circuiting - where DC current (direct current from God) prevailed.

Humans used by Satan (and his) are still fully accountable for their actions in these matters. Jesus told Pilate the one delivering Him up to him had "the greater sin" (Jn 10:11). Earlier, He told the disciples it would have been good for Judas had he "not been born" (Mt 26:24). So, when some heinous crime is followed with, "the devil made me do it," or "a voice told me to do it," there may indeed be an element of truth in the assertion ... but no innocence.

To expect unredeemed sinners, who reside "in the dominion of Satan" (Ac 26:18 and Col 1:13), to function morally is to set myself up for great personal unhappiness. The natural man is "alienated and hostile in mind" to God and His values and priorities. This results in the natural man naturally being "engaged in evil deeds" (Col 1:21). Of course, the natural man does not see himself in this light, and that is why God says he is in darkness ... and blind (Jn 12:46, 1Pet 2:9, 2Pet 1:9, and 1Jn 2:11). The most vivid example of the benefit (happiness) that I have gained by this lowered, moral expectation of others involved ... my Dad.

As a young adult, I had many offenses against my Dad. Many were justified. But, they were still toxins in my soul. Then, just before my 24th birthday, I became a Christian. A few months into my Christian experience, he visited me as part of a "business trip." One evening, he was walking in front of me, and for the first time ... I saw him as a creature of God who had lived his whole life separated from the source of genuine morality, justice, righteousness ... life. At that moment, everything inside me changed. I thought, "I can’t believe he did as good as he did!" All remaining toxins were immediately neutralized. It was an amazing moment, a freeing moment. Since then, when the negative memories resurface, the toxins just aren’t there. Adopting this mind set toward those outside of Christ has been of great value to me. I do not expect morality from them.

Unfortunately, I have expected it from professing Christians. This has resulted in a good deal of damage over the years. One brother, early on, talked to me about this. He said, "When unsaved people attack you, it doesn’t bother you, because you are expecting it. But you aren’t expecting it from Christians. So when that happens, you don’t understand it - and that is why it damages you." Over the decades, the worst treatment I have experienced is at the hands of professing Christians. I still hold high expectations, but not quite as naively.

Cynicism? Or, an accurate lowering of moral expectations - based upon Biblical understandings and experience? I will leave this judgment to you. "And this produces personal happiness in you?" Well, that may be the wrong way to put it ... but it sure has been personally positive. So, while I should demand high moral performance of myself, I now leave the movies of others to themselves and their Creator. And I let those who do right pleasantly surprise me ... in mine.

My Sin

... makes me personally unhappy. Many of my performances ... I would like to do a retake. But, that is not an option. Sin has really messed me up. And it is so subtle in its perverting power that I often do not see it until later ... when God exposes it. It then sickens me. I believe I am not alone in such matters. When Paul was discussing his own sin, he made a personal assessment, followed by a question, and concluded with a declaration. "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"(Ro 7:24,25). God has promised that when I exit this life, what is left of my corrupt nature will be left here. This makes me very, very happy.

Fear

I still experience fear. But, my response to it has changed and, in some cases, also the subject matter. When threats to my well-being arise, I pray, "‘Accomplish what concerns me,’ for I know ‘the days that were ordained for me’ were established by You ‘when as yet there was not one of them’" (Ps 138:8 and 139:16). In His wisdom, He knows how to deliver His children from the "fear of death" (Heb 2:15) and in life - He opens doors "which no one can shut" (Rev 3:8). Only when the saint’s work is done ... will he/she exit. This is an astounding way to approach life with all its dangers and threats. This empowers an individual to face, and work through, the confrontations of life with internal confidence. A fruit of such a heart set is ... happiness.

I do not want to leave the impression that when under life’s assaults, I am automatically at the place just mentioned. There is a process leading to this destination - and it can be extremely intense. In Gethsemane, Jesus, "being in agony ... was praying very fervently and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground" ... and it was a cold evening (Lk 22:44 and Jn 18:18). Some believe His blood vessels were bursting, thus mingling in His sweat, so that it took on an appearance like blood. I don’t know. But, I do know ... when He emerged from Gethsemane, He had arrived at the place referenced in the previous paragraph. His "performance" at the arrest, trials and execution was flawless. He overcame all the fears, angers, grief - or whatever comprised His "agony" in Gethsemane. I know my challenges will never rise to that level, so I know God can grant the necessary graces so I too can perform victoriously.

But, much of the subject matter causing me fear has also changed. For example, I fear for the fate of others, especially my children, their friends, extended family and people I have come to know and like. So, I pray. Even now, when thinking of some of them - knowing how tightly locked they are into their deceptions - I lower myself on their behalf as low as I can go. "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too difficult for Me?" (Jer 32:27). "No, there is no human too difficult for You to reach. But, You alone have the wisdom to do that. You alone ‘understand (their) thought from afar’ and are ‘intimately acquainted with all (their) ways’" (Ps 139:2,3). I fervently trust - that in these concerns - God will decide His "mercy triumphs over judgment" (Ja 2:13). This, when realized, will be a fount of unending happiness for me.

Insects

I love studying insects. This group of animals is amazingly diverse and complex. I have been infatuated by them from childhood. But now, when I examine their life cycles, migratory abilities, defensive body systems, or physical beauty - I see the handiwork of a Creator who is astoundingly ingenious. But such wonders are just a launchpad into the astounding wonders of this creation ... even a fallen creation! A verse to one of my songs seeks to capture this.

I love to smell the flowers that He made.
I love to feel a summer breeze while sittin’ in the shade.
If He can make a fallen world so spell-bindin’ ...
No tellin’ what it’s gonna be like in heaven!
Ha! Ha! Ha! ....
(From, "Come On In!")

When standing in awe in front of a spectacular sunset, I know I am looking at The Artist’s work on one of His canvasses. And in the height of the awestruck moment, I always hear one more thing: "Boy, you ain’t seen nothing yet."

Studying any aspect of this creation, organic or inorganic, macro or micro, overwhelms the honest mind. All the combined knowledge of the keenest intellects who have focused on just one tiny sliver of this created order - only scratch the surface of the knowledge available in that field. Our Creator is so far beyond us in knowledge, wisdom and might ... it really is a joke. And when I realize that in Jesus Christ I am in eternally good standing with such a One, well, the study of His insects, and other things in this order (even though fallen) ... creates much happiness in me.

Conclusion

It is impossible to cover all the elements in Jesus Christ that cause me to be ... "1. favored by circumstances: lucky: fortunate 2. having, showing or causing a feeling of pleasure, joy, etc." I have lived on both sides of the conversion line and there is just no comparison. And His surprises make a Christian live in a state of incessant expectation. For example, this last weekend a man from Pakistan asked if he could translate my work into the Urdu language - with the potential of reaching a billion people in their native tongue. No mechanical translation device can capture the nuances of idiom, sarcasm and innuendo like a human translator can. Happiness? In Jesus Christ, the directions it comes from, and the places it leads, are as varied as God Himself.

Oh, yeah. Toward the end of my "Songs Notebook" I found this entry: "It’s been a month now ... no rock gut feeling." Amazingly, 30+ years later, I can still vividly remember that feeling ... yet, it has never returned. Actually, I am not sure that it can. All the elements that constituted it have been confronted by the Author of the Bible, neutralized, and systematically replaced by "the assurance of things hoped for" and "the conviction of things not seen" (Heb 11:1). But, as I have not yet "finished the course" (2Tim 4:7), I can envision some scenarios which might challenge a dogmatic declaration of victory on this matter at this time. But, when Jesus says, "I am with you always (literally, "all the days") even to the end of the age" (Mt 28:20) it is possible, maybe even likely, that all the elements comprising a genuine personal happiness have been forever secured. That "rock gut feeling" may forever remain ... a memory.

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