The Pursuit of Happiness

by Steve Kurtright

A dissident once complained to Benjamin Franklin that the United States Constitution is a mockery. "Where is all the happiness it guarantees us? I certainly didn't get my share!"

Franklin replied kindly, "My friend, all the constitution guarantees you is the pursuit of happiness. You have to catch it for yourself."

The pursuit of happiness and the state of happiness are poles apart, as Franklin indicated. Objects we seek after to insure this state often make for strange bedfellows. Happiness to one might be a large bank account, a fine home, or an art collection. To another, happiness might be inspired by early retirement, education, or good company. People pursue happiness through investments, careers, sport utility vehicles, and x-treme sports.

Another avenue of pursuit isn't as popular as these but is substantial and genuine, unlike all its competitors: Jesus Christ!

Popularity

According to Matthew 4, there was a time when Jesus and His way were not only popular but also rigorously sought after.

And the news about Him went out into all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, taken with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. And great multitudes followed Him from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan (vv. 24, 25).

At this point in Jesus' ministry no synagogue of the day could have held the crowds He was drawing. With His insight Jesus no doubt realized that these crowds followed largely because they were excited and impressed with the miracles He performed. Their confidence, or any faith they might have had in Him, was based on sight; it was superficial.

Jesus wanted these followers to understand what the gospel (or good news) meant. We too need to be reminded of what the gospel is all about.

The gospel and happiness

A great deal of this gospel has to do with being happy. That's right! Jesus actually instructed people on the state of happiness: "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3).

What follows has been called the Beatitudes, or blessings. The word beatitude is not in the Bible but is used to describe Jesus' discourse in Matthew 5. These blessings (vv. 3-11) are part of a greater discourse called the Sermon on the Mount. The most complete account of this great sermon is in Matthew's writing.

In the Beatitudes Christ explained what inward graces characterize His true followers. These graces mark the establishment of a right relationship between God and people and the prospects attached to that relationship.

Jesus' instruction appears to directly oppose the view of merit and reward as held by the religious Israelites. Through self-denial, discipline, and effort they sought after a goal; but Christ begins with the goal of the kingdom of God. The Pharisees merely pointed out the end and said that through obedience to law, a person could become a child of the kingdom.

While those under the leadership of religious Israel labored, Jesus in His sermon gave. While the religious zealots were making demands, Jesus granted. His message of true happiness reached the people's hearts.

When Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes (Matthew 7:28, 29).

The vital link

The Beatitudes must not be regarded as the reward of the spiritual state. It is not because a person is poor in spirit, meek, a peacemaker, etc. that the kingdom of heaven is his. One spiritual state is not the reward or result of another. In other words, being poor in spirit will not grow into the kingdom of heaven.

As with any part of the gospel, the link between the spiritual characteristic of the person Jesus described and the promise given in the beatitude is Christ. He alone stands between our present and our future. It is not our suffering persecution or our humility that guarantees blessing. The promises represent the gift of grace by Christ.

Genuine happiness

What do these blessings have to do with happiness? We get a clue from the word blessed in the Beatitudes. Taken from the Greek word makario, it can be translated "how happy."

Genuine, substantial happiness can only exist through Christ. As God's creation, we are temporal beings; the conditions we live under are temporary and at times illusive.

Jesus said, Happy are those who realize their own spiritual poverty. Happy are those who mourn the discovery of their standing before God outside of Christ. Happy are those who then submit to their Creator. Happy are those who are starving for the righteousness of God: They are promised satisfaction.

Conclusion

Can you say as much for the avenues you are pursuing in your quest for happiness?

The forgiving, sensitive, and compassionate are made happy. The single-minded, too -- with peacemakers and those committed to good in this Godless time -- are genuinely happy! All these blessings are the result of Christ's example and His death for their redemption. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven great" (Matthew 5:12).

To followers of Christ, the right goals have value. People find real happiness in accepting Christ's sacrifice for their sins and in pursuing lives of service. The ultimate goal awaiting God's people -- those who have accepted their place as sinners justified by Christ, who are merciful and pure in heart -- is rich and meaningful. This is the source of true happiness!

A version of this article appeared in a past issue of the Bible Advocate magazine. For a free subscription, contact us at bibleadvocate@cog7.org. All Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible.

Steve Kurtright is an instructor at Summit School of Theology, Denver, CO.

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