I touched on this in a previous post, but I want to expand upon it here. To be happy is a very personal thing. It is somewhat relative to the person. For example, what makes me happy may not make my neighbor happy. What makes me happy may not make my wife happy, and vice versa.
But, I think there is a non-relative happiness that is the only true happiness that exists. To be happy is, in my opinion, being in a state of satisfaction about life. It is a superficial condition that, in this world, was not created to be permanent nor unbroken. I would not want to be happy all the time because there are times I need to cry, or feel anger, or remorse. But, I do enjoy being happy. It is a good, and refreshing emotion. But, by no means do I want to be happy all the time.
However, in the world to come, the kingdom of God, happiness is eternal, perpetual, and unbroken. That contentment that is produced from conditions around you, which is what happiness is and is different from joy in that manner, will be absolutely perfect and infinite.
Why?
Because, as Jesus taught, happiness is the desire of God for His people:
““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.”
Matthew 5:3–11
The teaching of Jesus here is that happiness is a condition of: being in the kingdom of heaven, comforted, inheriting the earth, satisfaction with righteousness, mercy, seeing God, being a son of God, being persecuted and then relieved of that persecution by means of entering the kingdom of God, and suffering in Jesus’ place.
The word for “blessed” means a condition of happiness. It is the effect that God has on those who are His. They are happy. Somewhat like my daughter is happiest with me by her side, so also is the Christian happiest when they are close to God. The strength, protection, security, affection, and mutual relationship, makes us happy.
Now, compare that with what makes the world happy: lawlessness, selfish indulgence, godlessness, career-chasing, sexual deviance, alcohol, drugs, etc… None of these things will follow them into eternal life, nor are they the product of eternal life. Further, they are not related to God in any way. None of these things produce likeness to, nor closeness to, the God who alone is blessed:
“…He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.”
1 Timothy 6:15b–16
Beloved, those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, be happy! Be poor in spirit, mourn, be gentle, hunger and thirst for righteousness, be merciful, be pure in heart, be a peacemaker, be persecuted, and be insulted for Christ’s sake and His name’s sake. If you do this, or it is done to you, looking to the kingdom, you will be happy.
Sketches of Scripture 