Happy in Our Holiness
As we continue to strive towards holiness by allowing more of Jesus in our lives today than yesterday an interesting thing happens. We begin to see a byproduct arise. What is a byproduct of walking in holiness? A blessed life is what you will begin to see and experience. You may be thinking this is beginning to sound very “churchy”. Well, you are right; I am throwing around some words that we do not use very often or if we do they sound so cliché.
How about this? In Matthew 5, Jesus discusses life. He talks with those gathered all around Him about how to live life to the fullest. In this sermon or teaching, Jesus tells us how to live a “blessed life”. It is important here to understand the word He uses for “blessed” means “fortunate” or “happy”. It is easy now to read Jesus’ words and substitute “happy” for “blessed”.
Jesus lays out a road map to a blessed, or happy, life during His sermon. He tells us that happiness is a result or an outcome; not an instant thing or a now feeling. If we (you and I) do something now it will result in something later. “Blessed (happy) are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) How can I possible be happy when I am mourning? That makes no sense. Remember, Jesus is talking about doing something now for a result later.
In order to mourn we first have to love. When we lose someone close to us - a wife, husband, family member, beloved friend - we are deeply saddened. The only way that can happen is because we opened ourselves to the relationship, gave ourselves and loved! The only way to mourn is to first love deeply!
The same can be said for our pursuit of holiness. We must first be humble and meek. Another point in Jesus’ sermon was, “Blessed (happy) are the meek (humble), for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) In order for our outcome to be holiness, which we are called to be, we begin with humility and meekness.
I think another point to understand here is what “meek” really means. Jesus uses this to describe Himself, as well as, challenge us to behave this way. There is nothing negative about being meek; it simple means “gentle”. Now let’s put “gentle” with the example of Jesus’ behavior and interactions with people. He was confident, firm, and spoke fearlessly to those who opposed or misrepresented God. On the other hand, He was approachable, compassionate and gentle to those in need. He was not a push over or a man that would not stand for what He believed in, just the opposite, Jesus stood strongly and He loved deeply. Jesus was meek. Jesus was humble. Jesus was holy.
Our action today should be meekness - a gentle approach to our lives. Our action today should be humility interwoven with meekness. The result, as Jesus promised, will be a life deeply rooted in happiness. This is by no means an over night formula. This, my friends, is a lifestyle. A lifestyle of following closely after Christ. A way of life that has you and I looking more like Jesus today than we looked yesterday. A growing - humbly and gently loving on those who cross our paths. Happy in our holiness.