Life, Liberty, And The Pursuit Of Happiness
The title of our article should be familiar to all Americans. Per Wikipedia, it’s a well-known phrase from the United States Declaration of Independence. Again from Wikipedia, this is a foundational document of the United States, declaring the thirteen American colonies independent from Great Britian. It was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. One should be ashamed if they are an American citizen and not know of this document, much of its content, and how it has a huge impact on their lives.
Sadly, many go through life seeking what they desire as liberties, all in the pursuit of happiness. A well-known question asked by many who are bound in sin is: “Doesn’t God want me to be happy?”. The answer is a resounding “ABSOLUTELY”. However, can the definition and terms of true happiness be determined by the individual? Therein lies part of the problem. We do not even determine if we will live. Physical life is a product of the Providence of God when He created man and woman, and in them, the power of pro-creation. Then there is liberty. One often uses the very selfish, narrow definition of liberty. Many think liberty is – the power or scope to act as one pleases. Another definition is – the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior or political views. The problem here, is what is oppressive to some, may be liberating to others.
Finally, there is the pursuit of happiness. Everyone wants to be happy. But are we allowed to selfishly determine what will make us happy based solely on our own whims? Should we not consider what will bring true happiness for the longest period (eternity)? Should we not take into consideration how we are to live on earth while enjoying liberty from the bondage of sin, knowing the happiness that is ours by serving God faithfully in accordance to His Word?
Spiritual life, liberty and pursuit of happiness is what New Testament teaching is all about. Even before the New Testament began, while Christ was on earth, He taught about life. In John 10:10b, He states, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” In Luke 4:18-19, while reading from Isaiah in the synagogue on the Sabbath, Jesus read: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Then, in John 13:4-16, Jesus taught His apostles a lesson on humility in washing the feet of these disciples. After doing this and instructing them, in verse 17 Jesus spoke concerning this lesson saying, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”
The New Testament age began following the death, burial, resurrection of Christ. When the Spirit was poured out on the apostles in A.D. 33 in Jerusalem, the church which the Lord foretold while in His earthly ministry, and what He had prepared His apostles for, became a reality. According to 1John 2:25, Christians have eternal life (in promise) - “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” We are living under the perfect law of liberty, per Jas. 1:25. If we do as it Commands, eternal blessings await. - “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” In 1Thess. 2:19, the Spirit had the apostle Paul remind these brethren (and us) when true happiness is to be made manifest for the faithful Christian. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?”
Yes, those of us blessed to be Americans, under this government, are granted the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Along with these are certain other privileges that many other nations do not afford their citizens. Sadly, many Americans fail to recognize or realize these, except on special holidays or when these rights are threatened. All Americans should reflect on these frequently and be grateful for them because they are precious. Many cannot realize how precious something is until they no longer have it. One of the freedoms afforded Americans is freedom of religion. While this freedom has a positive aspect in that one can seek “truth” from God’s Word, it can also produce a negative aspect. One can be deceived into believing they faithfully serve God, when they are actually serving self, or some other man. This produces eternity separated from God. Jesus, in John 6:63 said: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
Why will you not spend the time you are granted in this physical life, and the liberty we enjoy from our government, to seek the happiness that can be yours in this life and will lead to eternal life? This is only possible in learning and following the N.T. Word of God. That’s what this life is all about – Seeking Life eternal (in promise), Liberty in Christ, and the Pursuit of Happiness that will exist forever in Heaven with God. Think about it!
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
