True Happiness
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him,
“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
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John 8:31
“Everybody’s doing it” that seemed like a winning argument when my brother and I were young. But our parents never gave in to such pleas, no matter how desperate we were to get permission to do something they believed was unsafe or unwise.
As we get older, we add excuses and rationalizations to our repertoire of arguments for having our own way: “No one will get hurt.” “It’s not illegal.” “He did it to me first.” “They will not find out.” Behind each argument is the belief that what we want is more important than anything else.
Eventually, this faulty way of thinking becomes the basis for our beliefs about God. One of the lies we sometimes choose to believe is that we, not God, are the centre of the universe. We think we will be carefree and happy only when we reorder the world according to our desires. This lie is convincing because it promises an easier, quicker way to get what we want. It argues, “God is love, so He wants me to do whatever will make me happy.” But this way of thinking leads only to heartache, not happiness.
The Lord Jesus told those who believed in Him that the truth would make them truly free (John 8:31-32). But He also warned, “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (v 34).
True happiness, and therefore the best kind of happiness, comes from the freedom we find when we accept the truth that Jesus is the way to a full and satisfying life.
Bible Reading
John 8:31-38.
Prayer
Lord God, I confess my tendency to rationalize everything to get what I think I want. Guide me today so that I choose to obey Your commands instead of pursuing my own desires. In Christ's name, I ask and pray. Amen
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