Christianity is not a Frowning Contest

G. okay. Chesterton is largely credited with saying, "Jesus promised his disciples three things: that they would be completely fearless, absurdly satisfied, and in constant quandary." It can be argued that almost all Western Christians don't exemplify any of those three—least of all "absurdly satisfied."

In today's world, Christianity is perceived to be about way of life and morality, no longer happiness. I've taught school classes on biblical ethics, and that i make no apologies for defending morality. actually Christians are sometimes unpopular or maligned for professing Christ and standing for biblical truth.

but there are legitimate the reason why unbelievers fear that becoming a Christian will result in sadness. They've familiar—as many people churchgoers have additionally customary—professing Christians who seemingly exit of their solution to exude misery, now not gladness.

Are We Chronically sad?

I've seen Bible-believing, Christ-headquartered individuals put up strategies on a blog or on social media most effective to receive a string of hypercritical responses from americans who wield Scripture verses like pickaxes, impulsively condemning viewpoints they consider suspicious. Responders anticipate the worst, not giving the improvement of the doubt, undertaking shotgun-style character assassination instead. If I had been an unbeliever reading such responses, I definitely wouldn't be drawn to the Christian faith.

other believers focal point on terrible news and political issues to the point the respectable information doesn't even aspect into their suggestions or conversations. I see too many long-faced Christians who seem at all times angry, dissatisfied, and shielding over politics and the infringement of their rights.

Many non-Christians view Jesus's followers as "hypocritical," "insensitive," and "judgmental." These words all describe sad americans. (If the realm judges us, so be it, but it shouldn't be as a result of we're chronically sad.)

This isn't the whole story, of path. practically every community includes americans with quiet self belief in Christ who are terribly loving, variety, beneficial, and cheerful. sadly, many unbelievers see them because the infrequent exception. How tragic, since happiness in Christ is certainly one of our most powerful evangelistic tools.

Happiness in Christ is certainly one of our most powerful evangelistic tools.

happy-Making Gospel

trust Isaiah 52:7: "How attractive upon the mountains are the ft of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings decent information of happiness, who publishes salvation . . . who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" Two of probably the most literal translations—the NASB and the ESV—render the Hebrew as "decent news of happiness." The instant context of Isaiah fifty two–53 is concerning the Messiah, and this good information of happiness is the exact same "first rate information of superb joy" the angel introduced to the shepherds after Jesus's birth (Luke 2:10).

fact is, the first rate news should still leak into every element of our lives, notwithstanding we're no longer consciously talking about God or witnessing to someone. each time we think about the gospel, live by using it, share it, and count on its culmination in an international without sin and loss of life, "good news of happiness" will permeate our lives with, neatly, happiness.

That's exactly what came about when Paul and Barnabas took the gospel to the Gentiles. Paul said, "We convey you the first rate news [glad tidings (KJV)]. . . . And when the Gentiles heard this, they started rejoicing [the Gentiles were very happy to hear this (CJB)]. . . . The disciples had been full of pleasure and with the Holy Spirit [The disciples were overflowing with happiness (CEB)]" (Acts 13:32, 48, fifty two).

God proved his boundless love when he despatched his most effective Son to die in our location so those who trust in him can have eternal lifestyles (John three:sixteen). God is for us, and never even loss of life can separate us from his love (Rom. 8:31–39). If we in fact agree with these truths, we are able to't help but adventure deep happiness.

Now, does this suggest we won't fight with existence's difficulties or ought to pretend they don't exist, chiefly in entrance of unbelievers? Of route now not. The biblical name to have fun within the Lord at all times (Phil. 4:four) isn't about pasting on a false smile in times of heartache. It's about discovering an affordable, accessible, and exquisite happiness in Christ that transcends tricky cases. basically, our option to dangle to, have faith, and rejoice in him throughout trials (Hab. 3:17–18) testifies to the gospel's astounding energy.

Our possibility

will we really trust God loves for his children to be completely satisfied? if so, how do our each day lives, our households, and our church buildings reflect that fact for all to see?

J. C. Ryle's phrases are as actual these days as when he wrote them in the 1800s:

it is a good misfortune to Christianity when a Christian can not smile. A merry coronary heart, and a readiness to take part in all innocent mirth, are gifts of inestimable price. They go far to melt prejudices, to take obstacles out of how, and to make means for Christ and the gospel.

imagine if God's individuals stood out in retailers, offices, colleges, and even on social media for the entire correct motives. What if, while now not apologizing for biblical truth, we let our "reasonableness be standard to every person" (Phil. four:5) and, "as God's chosen americans, holy and dearly adored," we clothed ourselves "with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and endurance" (Col. three:12)? people are interested in Jesus after they see his attributes in others' lives. after they take a look at them, they'll note and need to grasp the supply of these qualities.

Happiness in Our churches

one of the church's terrific challenges is to reintroduce and cultivate the spirit of happiness that should characterize God's individuals. we've country wide holidays, actually, however when acceptable, believers can combine into them greater biblical and Christ-based elements. for example, the observances of Christ's delivery and resurrection had been commandeered by our way of life and distanced from their biblical meanings. instead of abandon these vacation trips, we are able to infuse them with their biblical significance.

we are able to also rejoice different "holy and satisfied days" that our culture doesn't recognize and for this reason won't distort. Many nondenominational evangelical church buildings, my own included, don't have the advantage of longstanding church lifestyle. most likely we may reestablish pretty Christian observances corresponding to All Saints' Day, Ascension Day, Epiphany, or Pentecost, or have a good time modified types of Passover and Yom Kippur.

What if the church turned into customary because the location that celebrates more than the realm, in preference to much less?

Theologian Robert Hotchkins wrote:

Christians ought to be celebrating continually. We ought to be preoccupied with events, banquets, feasts, and merriment. We have to supply ourselves over to celebrations of joy as a result of we have been liberated from the worry of lifestyles and the concern of loss of life. We should attract americans to the church rather actually by the sheer pleasure there's in being a Christian.

What if the church changed into favourite as the place that celebrates more than the world, instead of less? The surest payoff would be reestablishing Jesus followers as profoundly happy individuals, quick to have a good time God's personal happiness and style.

If the church did more of this form of celebrating, and if God's people as individuals validated what it appears like to cheerfully love God and their neighbors, definitely fewer unbelievers would fall for the enemy's lethal lie—that they ought to locate happiness someplace apart from in Jesus.