Faith and Life

   What are the conditions upon which true happiness depends? Christ tells us in the text: If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

   This is the blessing with a double if. "If ye know," this is the knowledge which Christ gives to faith. "If ye do,"—this is the obedience which faith gives to Christ. Knowing and Doing, these are the twin pillars on which the house of happiness is built.

  The harmony of faith and life, this is the secret of inward joy and power.

  You remember when these words were spoken. Christ had knelt to wash the disciples' feet. Peter, in penitence and self-reproach, had hesitated to permit this lowly service of Divine love. But Christ answered by revealing the meaning of His act as a symbol of the cleansing of the soul from sin. He reminded the disciples of what they knew by faith, that He was their Saviour and their Lord. By deed and by word He called up before them the great spiritual truths which had given new meaning to their life. He summoned them to live according to their knowledge, to act upon the truth which they believed.

    I am sure that His words sweep out beyond that quiet upper room, beyond that beautiful incident, to embrace the whole spiritual life. Do you suppose  that He is revealing to us the secret of happy living which lies at the very heart of His gospel, when He says: "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." ?

   "If ye know,"—there is, then, a certain kind of knowledge without which we can not be happy. There are questions arising in human nature which demand an answer. If it is denied we can not help being disappointed, restless, and sad. This is the price we have to pay for being conscious, rational creatures.

     If we were mere plants or animals we might go on living through our appointed years in complete indifference to the origin and meaning of our existence. But within us, as human beings, there is something that cries out and rebels against such a blind life. Man is born to ask what things mean. He is possessed with the idea that there is a significance in the world beyond that which meets his senses.

    Happiness is often a choice - Decide to be Happy. You can enjoy a richer, balanced life filled with a greater sense of self esteem. Go here to learn more about finding balance.