Saturday, August 16, 2008

Happiness, From the Old and New Testament Perspective

Tamela from Tamela's Place and myself accidentally discovered a new Blogger Game we will attempt here. It is simple. Simply read the following Blog item and comment on it. In two days from the day of this post, we will notify all of the commentors of a piece of information that was left out of the origional posting that has been placed back into the text. When you are notified, reread the post and see if you can spot the new information that has been added. We will let you know if you were correct.


Philippians 4:4-8 (New King James Version)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Meditate on These Things

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.


Philippians 4:4-8 is not just a list of things to think about, to train our conscience which governs our actions and our health, as well.

In Koine Greek, original text of the New Testament, the word for ‘happiness’ is not the same as it is in the Old Testament language of Hebrew. In Greek, ‘happiness’ is χαίρετε (chirete) – to rejoice, be glad, be joyful, be full of joy, to greet; health.

In Hebrew, ‘happiness’ is giyl – to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), I.e. usually rejoice, or (cringing) fear: -be glad…etc.

Here in Philippians chirete specifically means to be happy. Chirete is a command in the present imperative.

In Philippians 4:1-8, the fear has passed. Where as in the Old Testament, the idea was in overcoming fear. In Isaia 35:1, we see that the people live in fear from day - to - day, hoping on the promise of "something" that will give reason for happiness, and fear of dying eternally in the grave having passed.

The President who once said, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself” was Franklin D. Roosevelt. Where did he get this idea from?

The realization of death with uncertainty of an after life with God is “giyl” if the person speaking is a pessimist. But our praise of God’s redemptive plan is in ‘chirete’. We now have this promise of passing from the physical to the spiritual with a reward.

This only comes to us through love. Our duty to the Father of love is to have love for one another.

By first obtaining righteousness through our belief (not pessimism) in Christ’s ability to atone for us, we have this promise to hope in. Our intentions can tell us from here if we are saved and have reason to rejoice. For our intentions should be rooted in God’s will; to produce fruit in our lives in the expression of self - sacrifice through love.

Romans 6:22 says,
“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life”. Keeping the second most important command demonstrates our obedience in the first. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…soul…mind…. Love your neighbor as your self. All the Law and the prophets hang on these two commandments (Mt. 22:37-40).

15 comments:

preacherman said...

I really needed to hear this post. It was like God was talking to me through your post. Keep up the great work brother!

Tamela's Place said...

I often remind myself of that scripture in Phil. think upon these things when the things of life bombards me. And when i change my thoughts and begin thinking upon those things that are of virtue, honest and of a good report it really does change my mind to begin praising instead of complaining. I am anticipating looking for the new addition in a couple of days. Hopefully I'll get it right again!

Dr. Russell Norman Murray said...

I reason that a major human problem is that persons tend to place happiness and fulfillment above truth. Many persons are happy and somewhat fulfilled and are living in lies.

God will discipline a believer toward the truth, which ultimately, in the next realm should result in human happiness and fulfillment pleasing to both God and persons.

jeleasure said...

Preacher Man,
I left a very long comment on your comment board this evening. I did not like that it had to be long. The issue was clear from your perspective. I just felt, if I was going to give a complete comment, I should say what I know. And, I felt it was important.
Thank you so much for hanging in with me and being a regular contributor on my blog. That is an honor. Check back in a few days to see if you can spot the added text in my blog. Tamela will also be posting blogs with this game in mind.
Also, I desire to contribute significantly to your post. But, man. You get so many good comments, I think mine get overlooked. That is a good thing for your ministry. I just don't want you to think I am no interested. I post to your blog when I can.

jeleasure said...

Tamela,
You are easily full of the correct perspective, without all of the extra academic stuff.
Jesus calls of to have such faith as children and as small as a mustard seed. Your comments are not childish. But a reminder of how simple the Gospel can be for someone who is instep with the Spirit of life and truth.
I think you will see a similarity in this post compared to the last post. I need to see if Russ will play our game. I don't expect him to do this on his blog. But, maybe he will participate or tell some people about it. It would be nice to see this as a trend in blogging.

jeleasure said...

Russ,
I actually commented on your blog about this post. I forgot to tell you about the game Tamela and I invented.
Will you check back in a few days and see if you can spot the text I omitted. I think I will add the missing text for Monday morning. This would be the kind of game that could increas reader's interest.

Tammy Snyder said...

Thanks for the invite.
I do believe I have these scriptures highlighted in my Bible.
I like to take note of the positive...the encouraging...the Bible, always.
Good luck with the game.
Tammy

Cheryl Russell said...

Hello there! Thanks for the comment on Kinney's blog and at my post. I have enjoyed reading your bog. I really liked this part of your last post,

"This only comes to us through love. Our duty to the Father of love is to have love for one another."

By first obtaining righteousness through our belief (not pessimism) in Christ’s ability to atone for us, we have this promise to hope in. Our intentions can tell us from here if we are saved and have reason to rejoice. For our intentions should be rooted in God’s will; to produce fruit in our lives in the expression of self - sacrifice through love."

God Bless you!

Arlene Kasselman said...

I think it is important when looking at passages from Philippians to also note some of the larger context messages:

1.Stand Firm and Stand Together
2.A sign of the mature is that they will endure suffering (in varied degrees given the time this was written) for Christ.

When one views it from that perspective, joy and happiness take on a completely different stripe. IMHO

Tamela's Place said...

Okay, you might of got me on this one. I can't be real sure. But i am thinking that i might not of seen this before.

In Isaia 35:1, we see that the people live in fear from day - to - day, hoping on the promise of "something" that will give reason for happiness, and fear of dying eternally in the grave
having passed.

Also the very last verse on your post in Mt. On these two laws hangs all the law, i don't remember seeing that either.

Also i would like to say that what you had to say on your reply to me was a very nice compliment. I have often said that i believe the Word of God wasn't written to be to difficult to understand. I believe it was written and inspired of the Holy Spirit so that a child could understand it. It is just a matter of seeing it through the eyes of a child and in the power of the Holy Spirit in faith taking old of it with a pure heart. My prayer has always been that God would give to me the heart of a child so as I can see the Kingdom of Heaven with spiritual eyes. I have got a long ways still yet to go, But i enjoy everyday in the Lord and learning of Him... That is why i love to read everyone else's blogs. We all can teach each other so much.

I hope i got the addition right... But i dont know??

BTW Our guest is not leaving until late this evening so i will try to write a post tomorrow for the blog game. keeping my fingers crossed!!

jeleasure said...

Hey folks,
The 'deliberately' omitted information was this:

"In Isaia 35:1, we see that the people live in fear from day - to - day, hoping on the promise of "something" that will give reason for happiness, and fear of dying eternally in the grave having passed".

Tamela got it right because she has the cliff notes.

She will post the next blog for this game.

Arlene Kasselman said...

No apologies needed! I always enjoy your insights.

jeleasure said...

Thanks Arlene,
I'll be looking forward to your next post.
Be blessed,
Jim

Angela said...

Jim,
Hey, sorry, didn't realize I was being silent on your end! Thanks very much for your encouraging comments, especially the one about dating the one who God has for me. God has really brought to my attention the unsuitability of the gentleman in question, so my eyes have been opened quite a bit. I don't know if I have the brain power to play the game, but I will try next time you do it, just give me a shout. If I'm not planning a baby shower (two in two weeks) I'll play.
Angela

Dr. Russell Norman Murray said...

Interestingly, as a side issue. Rick B (Mormonism Rwd.) has a product called Happiness. I doubt I could handle it.

happiness