Happiness and Holiness

The danger of doing well

Bible:1 Peter 1:13-21

Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written:
“Be holy, because I am holy” (VV.15-16

Reading

At one university, you can take a course in happiness. Apparently this class helps students discover “How to get happy.” That’s not a bad idea. In fact, the Bible suggests several times the importance of being happy or joyful. King Solomon (King David’s son) tells us that happiness
is a gift from God (ECCLESIASTES 3:12; 7:14; 11:9). Sometimes, though, we take the search for happiness too far. We see it as the most important thing, and even believe that our happiness is God’s highest goal for us. That’s when our thinking gets confused. The fullest and richest way of life comes by keeping God’s ways (PSALM 1:1-2; PROVERBS 16:20; 29:18). God demands holiness and wants us to live a holy life— which means we are set apart for Him and show His perfect, loving ways to the world around us (1 THESSALONIANS 4:7; 2 PETER 3:11). In Peter’s first letter we read, “Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be
holy, because I am holy’” (1 PETER 1:15-16). When we face big decisions, our friends are pressurising us to do something we know we shouldn’t, or things feel hard for any reason, we must remember God’s command to us. He didn’t say, “Be happy” but “Be holy”! That doesn’t
mean He isn’t interested in our happiness, but that holiness is our first priority. Happiness is then the natural result of holiness.

HOLINESS IS THE SUREST PATH TO HAPPINESS.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries