Christian Hedonism

"My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection..." (Phil. 3:10, HCSB).   "Wherever your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt. 6:21, NIV).  "You made us for yourself, and our hearts find no peace until they rest in you."  --Saint Augustine of Hippo, Confessions   "There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which only God can fill through His Son, Jesus Christ." --Blaise Pascal  "Christianity has not been tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult and not tried." --Chesterton

Usually, the term hedonist refers to Epicurean philosophy or the naked pursuit of pleasure for its own sake (e.g., "eat, drink and be merry...").   I am following John Piper's lead in applying this to our walk with Christ.  Christ did promise a "more abundant life" (cf. John 10:10)!  Some believers may miss the boat chasing pipedreams or fantasies, even what the world has to offer with all the devil's enticements, not to mention crutches such as supernaturalism, escapism, cynicism, and humanism.  However, the more room for Satan entails that we open the door to our enemy the less room there is for God to fill this void  (e.g., 1 John 2:15, NIV: "Do not love the world or anything in the world...").  There is joy in living for Christ and joy doesn't depend on happenings like happiness does, but cannot be taken away just like our attitude.  Paul commanded in Philippians 4:4 to "rejoice always."  The point is that we will not always get everything we want, but what we need (not so-called "felt-needs").  He knows our needs!

Fulfillment is not in the abundance of our possessions or how many toys we end up with but in the "fewness of our wants!"  God knows us better than we do and is a primary concern is not our happiness, but using us for His glory and will. Jesus said that our "life doesn't consist in the abundance of [our] possessions."  Habakkuk 3:18, HCSB, says:  "[Y]et I will triumph in Yahweh; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!" [though he virtually lost everything but God!].  The most satisfying life is one lived for Christ and fulfilling one's calling with one's spiritual gifts.  "For you need endurance, so that after you have done God's will, you may receive what was promised" (Heb. 10:36, HCSB).  God will reward us with a heritage:  "I am your shield; your reward will be very great" [or "I am your reward"]  (Gen. 15:1, HCSB)

Some believers see our walk as of walking around on Cloud Nine or Seventh Heaven or on some perpetual religious high, however, eventually God will test our faith, bringing us down to earth.  It's easy to have faith if one is always high, but "God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart [his motives]" (2 Chron. 32:31, NLT).   We are not called to wear our religion on our sleeves nor to parade and flaunt our faith (nor to privatize it either though--per Daniel's example!).  Character is only built through adversity and trial, not spiritual feelings. We can learn to rise above our feelings and be equal to the challenge!   God is more pleased with faith than feeling anyway (cf. Heb. 11:6).  We must learn to walk by faith (cf. 2 Cor. 5:7) than by our feelings which need not to be confused with facts.  The point of feelings is that they follow they don't lead (first comes fact, then faith, then obedience, then feelings).  Pascal pondered:  "If man is not made for God, why is he happy only in God?  If man is made for God, why is he opposed to God?"

The devil likes to catch us on a spiritual high as well as when we are depressed or brood. He knows our weaknesses and vulnerabilities.  "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation," according to Henry David Thoreau.  Carl Gustav Jung said, "The central neurosis of our time is emptiness...."  Depression or the doldrums aren't necessarily bad but a natural course when God is speaking to us and we need to heed His Word--don't go by feelings!  We note the "downcast" spirit in several psalms:  Psalms 42, 43, and 143, not to mention Nehemiah.  Often people don't know the reason or what is going on spiritually.  Anyone can experience a depressed funk and show one has feelings and it is a pity some have none!  It shows something is wrong and we need to do some soul searching--it's a warning sign or even an omen!  Note that when we are at our weakest Satan will tempt us and we should not "ignorant of his schemes" (2 Cor. 2:11, HCSB).  Sometimes it's good to feel not so good because we realize something is amiss or God is speaking to us.  We all experience trials, troubles, affliction, and adversity and it comes with the territory; but the Chrisitan life is not hard, it's impossible!  We can only live it by God's indwelling power, not the energy of the flesh. We have the power to live in the Spirit!

And in conclusion, Christians seek joy in the Lord and contentment (cf. Phil. 4:13) rather than satisfaction of every whim or fantasy and basic happiness.  Those who chase fantasies are fools. Christians have dignity, purpose, and meaning in life that the secular worldviews cannot offer! We don't live for the hear and now or short term like secularists but in light of eternity; however, one day at a time (cf. Psa. 118:24)!  We're not pleasure-seekers but have learned to find it in God!  We have a different outlook on crisis and adversity:  we see opportunity and possibility in them and room for growth in our walk--that's why no one can steal our attitude!   And the answer to the question, "What's your pleasure?" is to please God doing His will of service with a smile, or practicing and applying everyday, practical holiness!   Soli Deo Gloria!

The Endless Pursuit Of Pleasure As A Goal

"If I want to know how to live in reality, I must know what God is really like." --Plato
"The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." --The Westminster Shorter Catechism, 1646  "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Tim. 1:5, NIV, emphasis added).

The Epicureans (cf. Acts 17) were known as pleasure seekers (today known as hedonism), who were essentially atheists who lived for the here and now: "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die!"  (Those on this pursuit are really searching for happiness without God's input.)  This saying is actually from the Bible too (cf. Isa. 22:13; 1 Cor. 15:32; Luke 12:19).  In the worldview of Secular Humanism, one does just that without living in light of eternity as the Christian.  When you remove God from religion or the equation and live for self as the dynamic of one's life, all that's left to relate to is man as "the measure of all things" and this life to think about: no hell to shun, no divine Law to obey, no heaven to prepare for nor to expect and hope for.  They don't take any responsibility for their actions, good or evil since they deny Judgment Day and any divine accountability.

This is where Christianity breaks with Secularism and Hedonism:  they want believers to get out of their pants and stop interfering with their own mores and values, which they see as relative or unknowable, even nonexistent.  The Bible clearly states we are mere stewards of all the resources God has granted us in this life and will be rewarded or judged accordingly; i.e., vis-a-vis our works and that which is done in the flesh.  The Epicureans weren't seekers of maximum physical pleasure though, but what they deemed optimum pleasure--a point of contentment and balance, even of intellectual pleasure to boot. NB:  Didn't Solomon experience the vanity of intellectual pursuits, obsession with possessions or materialism, and sensual or sexual pleasure-seeking for fulfillment? If you seek pleasure, you'll never find it--seeking God it's part of the package.

The mature Christian (and when Paul "became a man he put away childish things") doesn't live for pleasure-seeking, but for a purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in Christ as he brings glory to Christ through a life of good deeds that are foreordained.  He doesn't dwell on just "having fun" as some people are focused on and feel their day is wasted if they got none!  Specifically, he would rather be doing the Lord's work than spending the day at Disney World!  Don't get me wrong: there is a degree of pleasure watching one's children grow up and enjoy themselves and there is vicarious fun. 

But how many parents would go there by themselves without the kids?  Most vacations are heavy on relaxation, withdrawal, and recreation, not having fun in a conventional way. The Christian defines fun in a lot different manner than do children and may think it's fun to have a fruitful conversation.  The Bible says in Ecclesiastes that man is meant to find enjoyment in his labor and in his eating.  The believer's so-called fun is much more sophisticated and is basically R & R so that he is up to getting back to doing the Lord's work or fulfilling his calling.

But the believer doesn't make pleasure-seeking the goal or purpose of his life and doesn't feel left out if he didn't have all the fun he felt entitled to--felt needs are often ignored by God.   The whole Christian walk is to be one of abundance and fulfillment in Christ and we are complete in Him.  In contrast, it's the job of kids to play and have fun, they are not mature enough to know the fulfillment of finding the image of Christ in work and doing God's will. 

The more we understand who we are in Christ, the more focused we who know our God can "be strong and do exploits" (cf. Dan. 11:32).  In a way, all play of childhood is merely a foreshadow of what the work-world is like when one has found his higher calling.  One may wonder where some believers get their drive, and the only answer is that they know the Lord and are purpose-driven, not fun-driven for our emotions and feelings can be deceptive and mislead us.

This is where the Protestant work ethic enters the equation and one actualizes his potential in Christ to the full.  Luther restored dignity to all labor, not just the noble pursuits and we must realize we are a creature not made or hard-wired for idleness, but meant to walk with Christ in a joy-filled life; i.e., "rejoice in the Lord always" (cf. Phil. 4:4).   On the other hand, the believer must beware not to be all work and no play, so to speak, and to be no fun, neither the party-pooper nor necessarily the life of the party either; however, things go better with Christ!  Our pleasure ought to be in God!

CAVEAT:  SATAN WILL ENTICE US WITH HIS DELICACIES AND IF WE FALL IN LOVE WITH THE WORLD AND WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER, IT DIMINISHES OUR APPETITE FOR THE SPIRITUAL AND DIVINE AND WE BECOME SPIRITUALLY HANDICAPPED.  

In sum, when one seeks pleasure it eludes him, but when one seeks God pleasure is a byproduct and blessing.  In the final analysis, we all must take stock of what drives us, what our pleasure is, what motivates us, and what inspires us and gives us a reason to live--taking a spiritual inventory or checkup; can man survive without God in the picture?      Soli Deo Gloria!  

The Search For Happiness

"...[F]or the joy of the LORD is your strength" (Neh. 8:10, ESV).

"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Ps. 37:4, ESV).

NB:  Hedonism is the maximization of pleasure but more specifically the optimization of it, though it is physical, sensual, spiritual, or even intellectual.  

"If a man is not made for God, why is he happy only in  God?  If man is made for God, why is he opposed to God?"--Blaise Pascal, French scientist, mathematician, philosopher

"People mix up faith and feelings, for example, some people equate faith with a perpetual religious high.  When that high wears off, as it inevitably does, they start to doubt whether they have any faith at all."--Lynn Anderson, DMn


Happiness depends upon happenings and is volatile like a seesaw or as divergent as a weathervane in a whirlwind.  It's not a given, but a variable in the equation of life!  No one can say he's always happy and never sad or sorrowful.  We don't walk around on so-called Cloud Nine as believers or exhibit the Pollyanna Christianity of pretending all is wonderful and only seeing the bright side, nor even exist on the memory of some divine existential experience or encounter forever.  The point of Christianity is to be ever joyful and not to have it ever taken away from us no matter the circumstances.  

Joy is an inner event that comes from God and can even be experienced in prison-like Paul and Silas did. Case in point:  let's say you delight in going to the beach to get a tan; if this makes you happy, what will you pursue when you reach your senior years or will you fail to find the source of true happiness?

Christian hedonism is the enjoyment of God and taking one's pleasure in Him, not the hedonistic philosophy of pleasure-seeking, like eating, drinking, and making merry or mirth till death.  Some say the goal of their lives is to be happy; God wants you to glorify Him no matter your feelings.  We are meant to have fulfilling lives (i.e., intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and even sensual fulfillment)  all with purpose and meaning.  Paul said that he had learned to be content, not happy (cf. Phil. 4:13)! 

There is a difference: are you getting what you want out of life, and I don't mean the American dream or any pie-in-the-sky scheme or wish (e.g., chasing for pots of gold at the end of mythical rainbows).  Have you found your calling from God, for He exhorts us to make our calling and election sure in 2 Pet. 1:10. Too often we aim at nothing and end up nowhere!  We must expect great things from God, as William Carey said in a sermon, as we attempt great things for God!

We all want to leave a legacy and make an impact with our lives--to make a statement--and when we die we want to have had more than a good time--this is shallow.  We all need to feel important and that we make a difference, knowing why we're here and who we are in the Lord. Most Christians don't even know what their spiritual gift is nor know the inner joy and fulfillment of being used by God in doing His work, much less find happiness, meaning, fulfillment, purpose, and joy in life.   

We all have to choose our attitude and no one can take that away, it's our choice to be on the side of righteousness, and to stand up for justice, even social justice.  Yes, girls just want to have fun, but that is immaturity and we must grow up to see that there is meaning even in our suffering; this makes our faith so unique.  Yes, you could say that you would be happy if you made an impact and lasting impression on the world, and this is a higher consciousness than saying you want to go play golf as long as you can because that's your life.

Many men put too much stock in their jobs or careers and define themselves from them, and upon retirement find themselves bored and unfulfilled, because they've never achieved real purpose in living, though they may have accomplished goals--these are not equal incentives.   Hannah Whitall-Smith, the commonsensical Quaker, writes in The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life that we can find joy and thrill in everyday experience with Jesus.  Indeed, also in the writings of Bro. Lawrence, notably The Practice of the Presence of God, we see the inner joy in constant communion or companionship with God no matter the task--even washing dishes.  Note that the scriptural formula for happiness is given in the Beatitudes and this really delineates inner joy found only in God, not the happiness the world experiences or knows.

God does call us to be happy campers but this doesn't mean we make having fun or seeking happiness our goal--if we put God's kingdom first and seek the Lord, we will be rewarded with true happiness.  We are to seek God, not happiness, which is the byproduct of a good relationship and fellowship with Him through faith in Jesus.  One of the secrets to happiness is to be busy making others happy, and loving and focusing on them, even loving their lives more than yours in sacrificial love to the point of laying down your life for them--this is the real pro-life stance.

In general, kids have the job of playing and having fun, but when they grow up they must set goals, find purpose in life, with and deeper meaning and orientation as an incentive to live; to joy and delight in the Lord's will is the highest form of happiness (cf. Psalm 40:8).  We ought to be like Paul, who learned the secret of being content in every situation or circumstance (cf. Phil. 4:11-12)  Soli Deo Gloria!

Things Go Better With Jesus

"The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever."--John Piper's rendition of the tradition in the Westminster Shorter Catechism
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings..." (Romans 5:3, NIV).
"... [T]hrough many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22, ESV).
"If I were to ask you why you have believed in Christ, why you have become Christians, every man will answer truly, 'For the sake of happiness.'"--Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo

Jesus did indeed promise life to the fullest  (to the max), but not in the way the world would interpret it.  Some have imagined it as a book has been written, Your Best Life Now, but this is short-sighted and misses the mark to which we are called--it has been granted unto us that we suffer for His name sake (cf. Phil. 1:29).  Suffering is our badge of honor and he who best can suffer best can do.  Jesus promised that we could have a life and life more abundant if we seek first the kingdom of heaven "all these things will be added" unto us according to Matt. 6:33.

Some say that all they want in life is to be happy, and Blaise Pascal said this is not unreasonable for anyone to seek ("All men seek happiness"), but we cannot be happy nor fulfilled out of the will of God or if we miss our calling.  John Piper writes of Christian hedonism and this is true when one lives his life according to the way it was meant, not fighting God's will but getting with the program and learning to give Him the glory, seeking joy in the Lord. When we learn we are designed for worshiping God we will find our joy in the Lord in so doing.  Indeed, "for the joy of the LORD is [our] strength" (cf. Neh. 8:10, NIV) and we are to rejoice always.  When our eyes are properly focused on Christ and not on ourselves, things look cheerful and joyful.

The big difference in Christians though is that their happiness isn't selfish nor focused in this life, but looks to eternity and not the here and now or the secular.  The world seeks its fulfillment in education, the standard of living, liberty and even the American way or in achieving the so-called American dream.  But true fulfillment only resides in knowing Christ and having a living relationship with Him.  The Christian life is not Jesus plus TM or Jesus plus yoga, and so forth, but merely:  Jesus in us!  We don't add Jesus to our life like some additive, but seek a substituted, exchanged, surrendered, and relinquished life in Him as Lord of our lives because He owns us.

We are designed for worship (as Dostoevsky said that if we don't worship God we'll worship something or someone else because we are made to worship), and bringing God glory and nothing else will fill the void but God, as Augustine said, "You make us for Yourself, and our hearts find no peace until they rest in You."  Blaise Pascal said that there is a vacuum or God-shaped blank in us that only God can fill.

Too many people want to add Jesus to their life rather than give their life to Jesus--He's no additive, but the Lord and will not save them in any other capacity.  Christians have an abundant life, but this is not to be interpreted that it's God's will for all believers to be successful in the eyes of the world nor to achieve great riches, power, or fame. The highest honor we can have is to suffer for the sake of the gospel, and to bring glory to His name.

One of the great mysteries in life is why the wicked prosper, but their portion is in this life (cf. Psalm 17:14), and ours in the glory.  God does indeed bless us in our endeavors but the results are up to him; we are to be faithful and leave the success to God.  Knowing Mother Teresa said that God calls us to faithfulness, not success per se.  We need to avoid the formulae of success the world offers and seek our fulfillment in serving Christ.

We don't just try Jesus and see if He works for us, but give our lives to Him unconditionally.  Christ did all He could to discourage halfhearted, casual admirers and followers because they didn't know what they were getting into with all the trials, tribulations, sufferings, and even chastisement Christians must learn to endure for the sake of the cross and being conformed to His image.  We don't give Jesus a trial run and see if He works, on the other hand, we must consider the cost of discipleship and make a commitment.  Discipleship involves discipline, endurance, faithfulness, and commitment and the road isn't easy--Christ never promised a bed of roses!

We don't fit Christ into our schedules and plans, but make no plans without His consent and learn to do His will and walk in the Spirit in fellowship with Him.   A good encouraging word is that if He got you to it, He'll get you through it.  We are never alone, nor overwhelmed by our troubles (cf. Isaiah 43:2).  We must not reduce the Christian life to a formula, a philosophy, or a creed, but it's all about knowing the Lord and proving it.  Yes, the Christian life is not hard, it's impossible, it's been put, and we can do nothing without God's power ("... 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty...", Zech. 4:6, NIV).  Jesus Himself said, "...apart from me you can do nothing" (cf. John 15:5, NIV).

Christ was honest enough to forewarn us of future affliction, discipline,  suffering, adversity, trials, and tribulations for His name's sake, and He asks us to do nothing He didn't do Himself, while our crosses pale in comparison to His (and He didn't exempt Himself from any adversity).  This is Reality 101 and it's inevitable.  There is no crown without a cross to bear and we must daily take up our cross and follow Him (cf. Mark 8:34,35; Matt. 16:24) wherever He leads with a walk of faith, not sight, for we don't always know what's ahead, but that Christ is with us all the way.

It's not all about "cashing in on your spiritual lottery ticket," nor storing up treasures on earth, but in looking for a future reward in heaven. We live in light of eternity!  In the final analysis, Jesus is not something we add to our lives, but someone we make our lives, which are defined by Him and His will for us, realizing that life makes no sense without Him--as some people try to do and are merely existing, not living, it's been well put.    Soli Deo Gloria!

Seeking God's Glory

 "... [W]ithout holiness no one will see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14, NIV).
"... We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son..." (John 1:14, NIV).
"No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in the closest relationship with the Father, has made him known" (John 1:17, NIV).
"Everything comes from God alone.  Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory" (Romans 11:36, TLB).
"The glory of God is a human being fully alive."--Irenaeus
"My eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord..."

According to the divines who wrote The Westminster Shorter Catechism around 1646, "the chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever" (or, as John Piper says, "... by enjoying Him forever").  We were put on this good earth to glorify God (cf. Isa. 43:7), and we bring Him the most glory while enjoying Him and doing what we were created to do, not resisting our Maker's intention or calling (cf. Isa. 45:10); for He is the Potter and we are the clay, being fashioned into vessels of honor and dishonor, but nevertheless, whether we cooperate or not, to bring Him ultimate glory--namely, the manifestation of the Shekinah, the cloud of God's glory, seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

Note that even the wrath of man brings glory to God (cf. Psalm 76:10).  Also note that God's glory is not a reflected one like the moon reflecting the sun's light, or like Moses' face reflecting God's, but is originating from itself, and a self-sufficient radiance, expressing itself.  It has to do with the transcendent majesty of God's presence. It was shown to the inner circle of disciples (John, James, and Peter) at the preview of his glory at the Transfiguration, and was hidden from the world while Christ was incarnate before His resurrection and would be restored (cf. John 17:5).

We have all fallen short of the glory of God (cf. Rom. 3:23), it's not a sin not to be as glorious as God, but not to bring Him glory as we ought, and becoming what would glorify God to the max.  We must learn to acknowledge the glory of God, as this is a pet peeve or complaint of God and shows our true nature.  The problem with man is that they've exchanged the glory of God for images or icons and idols!  We are meant, as believers united and in union with Christ, to share in God's glory, but the glory of His presence and salvation, will He give to no other to share (cf. Isa. 48:11).

We all fall short of the glory of God (cf. Rom. 3:23; 1:23) and after salvation, we regain glory step by step, as we are conformed to the image of Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 3:18).  The goal of the Christian is the Beatificfic Vision or the manifested revelation of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, seeing Him by faith in the here and now through the eyes of our spirit--in Glory, we shall see Him as He is and become like unto Him; as the disciples beseeched to see the Father and it would suffice, Jesus told them that seeing Him was the same experience--but we do see Jesus (cf. Heb. 2:9).

Meanwhile, it's our duty to do everything to the glory of God (cf. 1 Cor. 10:31).  Abraham likewise grew in faith, giving glory to God (cf. Rom. 4:20). In fact, we are predestined "to be to the praise of His glory" (cf. Eph. 1:12, NASB).  Jesus will share His glorious nature with us as we are fit for the inhabitation of resurrection bodies in His likeness.  This is when we are glorified in Glory or the third heaven upon entrance.  We either seek God's glory or are put to shame because of our sins in neglecting it as a dereliction of duty, there's no middle ground or limbo, that would be a neutral territory--one must decide for or against the glory of God manifested and put to full display at the cross and resurrection of Christ on our behalf--viz., the gospel message.  The sad commentary on man is that Satan has blinded the eyes of them that believe not to the glory of Christ, who is the express image of God (cf. 2 Cor. 4:4).

Remember:  "The Son is the radiance of God's glory [the fullness of the Godhead; cf. Col. 2:9] and the exact representation of his being [the icon]..." (Heb. 1:3, NIV).   And so: where is the glory of God?  Just open your eyes and look, it's everywhere (where isn't it?)--God's divine imprint is in all of creation, for the "heavens declare the glory of God," (cf. Psalms 19:1).  The glory of God is so awesome, that it will be the light of the New Jerusalem.  We are to live for and recognize God's glory as Jesus did:  "I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do" (John 17:4, NLT).

This means that we ought to do what we are wired to do and use our gifts: opportunities; relationships; energy; resources; learned skills; talents; abilities; spiritual gifts; and even passions for the purpose God gave them to us.  John Piper said that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him!  Don't just exist but live life to the full and live for your God-given purpose in life.  Glorify God by being all you can be and what you were designed for and called to do; for the happiest people are those who do God's will cheerfully and God will smile on them as He sees Himself in us.    Soli Deo Gloria!

Life With A Capital "L"

ARE YOU EXISTING OR LIVING, IF YOU DON'T KNOW CHRIST YOU HAVE NO LIFE, PERIOD.  TO KNOW HIM IS TO LOVE, HIM AND THE HAPPIEST, MOST FULFILLED PEOPLE ARE THOSE IN LOVE AND HAVE PURPOSE FROM GOD, THAT IS BIGGER THAN LIFE.
Christians don't have to sin and have the power to overcome by faith:  "Being made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness"  (Rom. 6:18, KJV).  


Jesus came to bring us life, and life to the full, i.e., a more abundant life per John 10:10 and most Christians are living defeated lives, succumbing to the so-called Anfectung (German used by Luther), or attack of Satan, our adversary, and opponent. Eternal life isn't just in reference to time but begins upon salvation and we share in God's very life!   Christians don't have the right to live in the flesh, but the power to live in the Spirit!  When we sin, we don't show our freedom, but demonstrate our slavery, if we are overcome by a sin, and if any brother is caught in a sin (Gal. 6:1, ESV, says, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.

Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted"), not leading to death (1 John 5:16, ESV, says, "If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask...") we should pray and restore him.  To live the abundant life you must learn to walk with God like Noah did:  "Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God."  "Enoch [also] walked with God, and was not, for God took him" (i.e., raptured him to heaven!).

We don't just have the selective indwelling, but the permanent residence of God in our hearts to stay in sync with God and on the same page as the Spirit!  We are filled by God in order to accomplish a God-ordained and given task to His glory; we don't walk around on cloud nine or with our heads bowed in holiness.   We must cultivate the fruit of the Spirit and it is grown by grace, not all at once, but over time--we must be patient.  Love is the ultimate fruit of the Spirit, and the other eight winsome graces are but manifestations of it in various forms.  We walk in love, speak the truth in love, do deeds in love, and demonstrate God's love by loving our neighbor and people will know we are disciples by our calling card of love as the keynote.  ("They'll know we are Christians by our love!")

God gives us richly all things to enjoy per 1 Tim. 6:17 and will withhold no blessing from us that is for our own good (cf. Psalm 84:11 ) "... no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly [walk with God!]").  We are blessed in all our endeavors and God makes it fruitful as we bear fruit that honors God in our work, which is done to bear the image of God.  There is a false,  prosperity theology, that says we can cash in on God's riches and we are automatically guaranteed riches and financial prosperity if we are right with the Lord.  But this is not what being prosperous and successful is.  Mother Teresa of Calcutta says, "God doesn't call us to success, but to faithfulness."

God doesn't want our achievements, he wants us and our obedience!   We don't do anything for God, He only uses us as vessels of honor to accomplish His will and glory; for our purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, according to  The Westminster Shorter Catechism (ca. 1646).  God says for us to open our mouths wide and He will fit it in Psalm 81:10 and many times says He will satisfy our needs and meet them when we are in His will (cf. Phil. 4:19).  God satisfies us with good things to enjoy, just as He gives food to all creatures.  Even our appetite comes from God, for some people have lost theirs and no longer enjoy food, which was meant to be our portion of blessing, along with our work, according to Eccl. 3:13.

This is our portion: to find purpose and meaning in life through Christ--there comes a time of maturity when we aren't looking for fun, but meaning and impact, and we want to leave a legacy, not just be thrill-seekers, living for the here and now; we are to live in light of eternity and live for something bigger than ourselves--that's the key, not to just live for yourself, in your own little world and reality. Living for self or having selfish ambition is a recipe for disaster and a formula for suicide.  We are meant to love others, not just ourselves!  Albert Schweitzer said that the only truly happy persons are those who have learned to serve others.

When God gives us a ministry to our brethren and/or a mission to our lost friends and neighbors, we commence to live and realize our potential in with the aid of the Spirit's filling and anointing. Paul sums it up in Col. 1:10, ESV, as follows:  "... bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God [Note that good works and knowing God are correlated!]."  Soli Deo Gloria!  

The Good Life With A Capital "L"

 "Thus says the LORD:  'Stand by the roads, and look; and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls..." (Jer. 6:16, ESV). 
"... And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength"  (Neh. 8:10, ESV).  
"When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad..." (Acts 11:23, ESV). 
"I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart" (Ps. 119:32, KJV).  [Emphasis added.]

Many long for the so-called American dream, thinking of success--a materialistic lifestyle.  Mother Teresa of Calcutta, now canonized, said that we are not "called to success, but to faithfulness."  God doesn't demand achievements, but obedience! Not our success; He wants us! Ethics is the study of how one goes about the good life--living as we ought, right living.  "If God does not exist, all things are permissible,' according to Dostoevsky.  Plato said that if he were to know how to live, he must know what God is like.

There can be no ethics without absolute truth, and no final arbiter of truth without God.  We all pursue the good life to some degree by chasing fantasies and dreams, but only in Christ can we find it:  "I am come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly"  (cf. John 10:10).  God's command: "Be fruitful and multiply."  We are "restless" till we find "rest in God" (Saint Augustine).  We don't want to just exist, but to live! Alive in Christ!

God cares a lot about right and wrong and has given each of us a conscience as a moral compass and fabric to know His law (cf. Rom. 2:15).  Everyone knows it, though we flaunt it.  No one has obeyed or listened to his conscience in toto, though Jiminy Cricket said, "Always let your conscience be your guide," and Martin Luther said, "To go against conscience is neither right nor safe," when asked to recant or burn at the Diet of Worms.  The resultant good life is composed of orthodoxy or right belief, and orthopraxy, or right [faith into] action.

The good life is something inside you, it's a spirit that you attain in finding fulfillment and meaning or purpose is life.  If you don't have a worldview you will never put things in perspective, though.  Religion can change you, and in fact, some may say that you got religion!  But Christ transforms from the inside out, He doesn't just reform you like a recovering alcoholic. It's not walking on Cloud Nine, or always being "spiritual" either.  We are given new life in Christ and a fresh start with a clean slate, and we don't have to look back!  The proof of the pudding is in the eating:  "Taste and see that the LORD is good..." (cf. Psalm 34:8). Peter said:  "[I]f indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good"  (1 Pet. 2:3, ESV).  "... God] delights in the welfare of his servant!" (Ps. 35:27, ESV).

The reason people follow some of the world's religions is that they work (this is pragmatism)!  Yes, but whether something works is not the test of truth.  Christianity isn't true because it works, but it works because it's true.  Yoga, TM, and meditation work if you believe in them, but this is what the world and the devil have to offer as cheap parodies of the real thing.  They are a sham and their effects are deceptive, for the devil can appear as an angel of light and bring about great wisdom (like Buddha's Eightfold Path).  He thought of the Four Nobel Truths, but you cannot get saved nor save yourself, no matter how many noble truths you dream up for enlightenment.

The goal in life is to know Jesus in fellowship, serving Him for fulfillment.  There is a great intrinsic reward in knowing divine wisdom, which is superior to religion.  We are set free in Christ as believers from our sin but don't have permission to live in the flesh, but the power to live in the Spirit.  Pascal said: "There is a God-shaped vacuum in every heart."

The Lord promises to take care of all our needs (cf. Phil. 4:19), that we will never be in want (cf. Psalm 23:1), and that He will "withhold no good thing from him walks uprightly" (cf. Psalm 84:11). He gives us richly all things to enjoy (cf. 1 Tim. 6:17) and gives us the ability to transcend materialism and "possess our possessions" (cf. Obadiah 17).   John prays:  "Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health, just as your soul prospers" (3 Jn. 2, HCSB).  There is not a "prosperity theology" whereby we are promised material blessings consequential to our faith, but God promises to bless us in all our endeavors if they are the Lord's work done in His name.  Even our work, food, and drink are the blessing of God (cf. Eccl. 3:13).

Religion doesn't ask you to sacrifice yourself and doesn't talk in terms of lost and saved, but Christ came to save those who are lost and to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him--a high cost for discipleship; not cheap grace or easy-believism.  But it costs more to reject Him. Christ alone diagnoses our problem as our sin nature and gave us the power to overcome it.  Jesus never made salvation easy, but well-nigh impossible--what He wants is you!  But the reward is worth it.

Isn't it more rewarding to live your life knowing without a doubt that you're headed to heaven?  No religion can duplicate this assurance of salvation, because, in a works religion, you never know.  In Christianity, you aren't saved by works, but by grace, a word foreign to religion.  Religion is defined as a way to gain the approbation of God by works, then, without grace.

Only Christianity offers the thrill of a lifetime and the joy of knowing God (cf. John 17:3) because we believe He is a personal, immanent, and approachable, and loves us (cf. 1 John 4:8). We were designed to know and love God while walking in fellowship, the Bible is our Owner's Manual and God knows best how to give us the good life--being fulfilled.  The eternal life we receive isn't just in longevity but in quality!

As Jesus said, "Now this is eternal life:  that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3, NIV).  Knowing God is part of the package and is the most rewarding of any relationship.  Paul considered everything he had "that was to his profit" as "rubbish," compared to knowing Christ (cf. Phil. 3:7-10).  Soli Deo Gloria!  Hallelujah!   Amen!