TRUE LOVE AND HAPPINESS?
The Bible, the inspired written words of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), reveals Jesus Christ as the only true God manifested in human form (John 1:1-3, 14; Philippians 2:5-8). He came and gave his life on the cross and rose from the dead, that we might have abundant life filled with the Spirit of God (John 3:16; 7:38-39). And he is the way and the truth and the life of everlasting happiness for whoever who comes through him to God the heavenly Father (John 14:6).
However, The Bible tells us, there would be teachers who would come as thieves, “speaking perverse things,” to draw away people from Jesus to themselves (John 17:3; Acts 20:30). Scripture speaks of them as deceptive false prophets “who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthews 7:15).
Many popular books, like The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, mislead people to believe “You are God manifested in human form” (p164). And that health, wealth and happiness may be found in your connection to an impersonal universal secret “Law of Attraction.”.
SECRET LAW OF ATTRACTION AND HAPPINESS
The Secret says the following about the universal Law of Attraction that connection you to health, wealth and happiness:
Essentially, doctrines like those of The Secret teach that you should focus on material and other things of this world for achieving success and happiness in life.
JESUS CHRIST OF THE BIBLE AND HAPPINESS
The Bible says, for true and lasting happiness, “Set your minds on things above where Christ is, and not on earthly things that soon fade away” (Colossians 3:2).
Ancient greats of the Bible, like Abraham, Job, and Solomon, and many others believed in a God whom they related to personally; and the Lord God gave them many desirable things of the world, with assurance of eternal life in heaven.
ABRAHAM learned that by believing in and obeying the Lord God, a believer can receive wealth and prosperity beyond one’s imagination. God blessed Abraham with land, riches, and recognition–and blessed all nations through his offspring, Jesus Christ who is the Son of God according to the Spirit. (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:15-18; Matthew 1).
Jesus said, “Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad” (John 8:56).
JOB was and man who reverence the Lord God; and God made him very prosperous. But in testing his faith in God, the Lord allowed Satan to take away all he had and afflict his body with festering sores. Job recognized that the Lord God has all power, and that he allows wealth, health and prosperity to whom he chooses for his purpose [Romans 13:2]. Job said: “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:1-21; 2:7). And he said, “If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come” (Job 14:14)—I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God” (Job 19:25-27).
Seeing Job’s faithfulness, “The LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10). I
SOLOMON prayed to God for wisdom to lead God’s people. Because God was pleased with his request, and that he did not ask for wealth or something that was not according to God will, God gave him more wisdom and riches than all other kings of the earth. (1 Kings 3:7-13).
“King Solomon was greater in wisdom and riches than all the other kings of the earth. Royalties from the whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift – articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules” (1 Kings 10:23-25 ).
Sharing some of his great wisdom, Solomon tells us that although he had riches, wisdom, honor and every pleasure of the world, he discovered these things do not lead to true happiness. “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). The rich and wise die as the poor and the fool: and they leave everything behind for someone else (Ecclesiastes 2:12). He said all the things of the world that he had are “meaningless, a chasing after the wind” – “Vanity and vexation of spirits” (Ecclesiastes 2:11).
Better a little with the reverence of the Lord then great treasure with turmoil (Proverbs, 5:16).
Solomon said the conclusion of the whole matter is to reverence God and keep his commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13)–The one who trusts in the Lord will be happy (Proverbs 16:20).
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, who created the world and everything in it (John 1:1-3, 14); who is greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42); who loved us enough to die for the salvation and eternal happiness of whoever believes in him–asks, “what good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (John 1:1-3: Matthew 12:42; Mark 8:36).
The Bible tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths”–to heaven where the Lord Jesus Christ is. (Proverbs 3:5-6; Colossians 3:2).
