“HAPPINESS OR BLESSEDNESS?

The word ‘blessed’ (found in many psalms and the beatitudes) means ‘happy’. But happiness does not necessarily equate to blessedness in the Bible. Satisfying the lusts of the flesh has pleasure (Heb. 11:25), yet such brings a penalty of death (Rom. 6:23).

To be blessed is to have God’s favor. God finds favor on those who walk by faith. Notice the example of (cf. Noah – Gen. 6:8; 7:1; Heb. 11:7). Noah exercised his faith in obedience to the will of God. For this reason, Noah was blessed of God, and therefore ‘happy’. God blesses all who submit to His will. He is their God, and they are His own (1 Kings 8:53; 1 Peter 2:9). When God is exalted by His own, He then exalts His own. This is a fulfillment of what He promised from eternity, being accomplished by Jesus, in His example of submission (Phil. 2:8-9).

There is an inseparable connection between blessedness and obedience taught in scripture. “Blessed are they that are perfect in the way, who walk in the law of Jehovah.” (Psa. 119:1). Again, we read, “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they walk, O Jehovah, in the light of thy countenance.  In thy name do they rejoice all the day; and in thy righteousness are they exalted.” (Psa. 89:15-16). The ultimate blessing in being exalted by God is seen in His forgiveness (Psa. 32:2).

However, blessedness comes with responsibility. The responsibility of loyalty to God who blesses. Our faith in God will be tested for loyalty (James 1:2-4). Let us follow Jesus, even if it means separation from family and friends who seek happiness in the pleasures of sin (Mark 10:26-30).

“THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION”

The Bible declares that sin is committed in one of the following ways:

 ~ Rom. 14:23 – acting without faith

 ~ James 4:17 – recognizing the necessity of obedience but refusing to obey

 ~ 1 John 3:4 – transgressing God’s law

 ~ 1 John 5:17 – committing unrighteousness

The only conclusion that these statements imply is that sin is disobedience to God’s commands, either by going beyond or falling short regarding what God has required of man. Since sin is defined as disobedience to God’s commands, forgiveness for sin necessarily involves obedience to God’s commands. If not, why not?

God’s commands are a blessing to man (Deut. 6:24-25). They give us understanding of our plight because of our sin (John 15:22-24), and they promise eternal life to those who will receive them (John 12:50). God’s commands are also the criteria by which the sheep and goats will be separated at Judgment (Matt. 25:31-46).

The enmity of Gen. 3:15 between the seed of the woman and the seed of Satan resulted over a “thus saith the Lord”. This enmity (hatred) is not mutual, but from those who refuse to acknowledge Christ’s authority to command their lives toward those who do. The distinction between preaching truth versus error is seen in the relevance of commands and obedience as they relate to man’s faith and God’s grace.

You are guilty of sin, not because you inherited Adam’s disobedience (sin), but because of your own disobedience. You will receive an inheritance by obeying the form of obedience patterned after the one who bore your sin—Jesus. (Rom. 6:3-5; 17-18). Righteousness is imputed to the obedient. (2 Cor. 5:19; James 2:23).