by Rev. Dr. Daniel ade’ Iselaiye | Chairman, ECWA USA DCC | Jesus Christ assures the world of what he has for all human beings. He says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (St. John 10:10). (image, YouTube).
From time immemorial, human beings have sought for ways to find happiness. Philosophers and religious leaders have talked much and written a lot about it. Jesus came into the world with a mission, that is, to save life and he did it by presenting himself as the one and the only one who could give life in abundance to humanity. It was critical for him to complete this mission because the more people turned away from God to look for happiness or satisfaction in wrong places the more they perish. God wanted the world to know the realty of the need to save humanity. The Scripture says in John in John 3:16, “For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. God gave His Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.” Some today try to go around this simple truth by looking into wrong places for a life of prosperity or happiness. It is sad to know that many church leaders have misled their congregations to believe that money or riches can give happiness or satisfaction.
Wise men and women know that the material things of this world cannot give happiness. These things cannot guarantee our happiness or satisfaction. We need a better approach that will show that we understand how real happiness relates to one’s life. Whether you are a Christian or not, you will indeed believe that life is ontological, that is, it moves towards a particular end which Aristotle (384-322B.C) called “eudamonia, which simply means “happiness,” “satisfaction,” or prosperity. That will possibly explain why so many modern church leaders erroneously lay undue emphasis on amassing fleeting wealth and riches as if these temporary materials can satisfy restless souls. There will be no satisfaction until one’s soul finds God who makes man in His own image. Aristotle believed that happiness is an activity of the soul and to have this life of happiness or satisfaction, one must live one’s life according to reason. It is this reason that leads us to a life of virtue. What we have become will then determine what we do. The argument here is not about whether a wise man like Aristotle was a Christian or not. He certainly lived before Christ appeared in the world. However, he discovered reason as a means of living a life of happiness and Jesus came to show the world that he is the reason, the one and only one that can satisfy our restless souls. When one’s sinful nature is changed he or she begins to live according to the life of Christ. If that spiritual transformation is real, one will not be looking for happiness or joy that does not come from Christ. The life of virtue does not take place in a vacuum. The full realization of the good life is guided by reason that is rooted in Christ who is the embodiment of God’s wisdom. No wonder then the prophet calls Jesus the “Wonderful Counselor,” and “Prince of Peace!”
The understanding of what has been written so far is very important to our spirituality. It confirms our belief in the fact that Jesus is the reason for Christmas. Why then will people look in wrong places for happiness or satisfaction? Look at the world of commerce that celebrates Christmas without Christ. God is both a spiritual as well as an intellectual Being. Thus, He wants human beings to reason with Him. This is stated directly in Isaiah 1:18 where God says, “Come now, let us reason together, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Everybody reasons but it is important to know that it is not everybody that reasons aright. We are therefore invited to reason with God. When that is done, we will see the futility of looking for happiness or satisfaction in wrong places. When we live fully according to reason, our spiritual life will be nourished. Looking for happiness in wrong places will be unnecessary, because it is Jesus alone that can satisfy the needs of our souls. He is the bread of life and the water of life. Know that Jesus wants Christians to rejoice not because of money or the materials of this world but because of their names that are written in the Book of Life (St. Luke 2:20).
The Testimony of King Solomon: There are valuable things that money cannot buy, such as love, wisdom, and integrity. Solomon chose wisdom which helped him later in his life to write his last book, Ecclesiastes. He got all the money, including all the women, and the houses he desired. He became the richest and wealthiest in the history of the world and it may seem to us that all his desires were fulfilled. We may judge that he reached the peak but let’s look at his own assessment. Solomon knew that the search for heaven on earth based upon money and other material things is definitely an illusion. He warns people of the insidious deception of riches. Solomon reached the top by the grace of God but that top is indeed empty as it has failed to satisfy the continuous thirst and hunger of man’s restless soul. It has been the plan of Satan to make human beings run after vapor and things that do not last. Humanity is hurt by this satanic deception. What can give peace to the soul has eluded many people in the world. There is a dial need to be led to a higher ground based on the truth behind the following assessment made by King Solomon:
I said to myself, “Let’s go for it-experiment with pleasure, have a good time!” But there was nothing to it, nothing but smoke. What Do I think of fun-filled life? Insane! Insane! My verdict on the pursuit of happiness? Who needs it? With help of a bottle of wine and all the wisdom I could muster, I tried my level best to penetrate the absurdity of life. I wanted to get a handle on anything useful we mortals might do during the years we spend on this earth (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3 MSG).
If nothing in the world cannot heal our sin-sick souls, then the world needs to look at the right person, Jesus the mighty healer. The angel who appeared at his birth knew what the gift of God means to the world. So, he said, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord” (St. Luke 2:10-11).
There are many events in our lives that point to the evils of focusing on material things to give us peace and happiness. The love of money, as the Bible puts it, is the root of all evils. Is very rare today in some churches for leaders to give this warning. How we wish they could preach more about the beauty of the kingdom of God. If people know about its power and beauty, it will not be difficult for them to find their ways to it and they will not need much of preaching, neither will they look to wrong places. False preachers attempt to make their congregations happy through the use of gimmickry. Even though the gospel is not preached, people feel entertained momentarily. Churches have been invaded by fake ministers through the use of spiritual and psychic sophistry. They teach in such a way as to offer people false alternatives to the peace that Christ gives. Beware of the use of modern pseudoscience and the so-called miracle workers who are now using electronic wizardry to deceive innocent people who still have some respect for ordained ministries. Jesus calls all fake pastors and teachers thieves and robbers. They are used by Satan to steal and destroy souls.
It is a grievous mistake for young people to believe that such things as wine, dangerous drugs, alcohol and the likes can give them happiness. This is a lie. The danger here is in the fact that when these things are taken in excess, it results into drunkenness which is a powerful spirit by itself. The Bible makes an interesting comparison between the Holy Spirit and drunkenness. Just as God uses the Holy Spirit in human beings to do His will and conform to the life of a disciple, in the same way, drunkenness controls anyone who is drunk. A drunkard loses his or her power or will to control himself or herself because he/she has given his/her own reasoning faculties and all other abilities to alcoholism which does not give anything good to the body except to take away from it before destroying the body. In order to keep ourselves under the right spirit, the Bible says, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). This is a very powerful analogy. Don’t be deceived, there is no joy in drunkenness. Jesus is willing to give us joy and peace.
Jesus Christ assures the world of what he has for all human beings. He says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (St. John 10:10). Let’s beware of the thieves among us. This includes anyone who teaches and encourages others to look for alternatives to the abundant life that Jesus Christ offers the world. Let us look only to Jesus and live. Jesus explained the realty of his claim to Nicodemus. When God’s people were dying in the wilderness as a result of their disobedience, God asked Moses to raise up a brazen serpent. Anyone who simply looked up to see the serpent became whole or healed. Jesus came and was lifted up on the cross. Anyone who looks to him will live (St. John 3:14-15). Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” {St. John 14:27).
The following song written by William A. Ogden in 1887 is used as the conclusion for this discussion:
I’ve a message from the Lord, hallelujah!
This message unto you I’ll give,
‘Tis is recorded in His Word, hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”
Refrain:
“Look and live,” my brother, live;
Look to Jesus now, and live;
‘Tis recorded in His Word, hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”
I have a message full of love, hallelujah!
A message, O my friend, for you,
‘Tis a message from above, hallelujah!
Jesus said it, and I know ‘tis true.
Life is offered unto you, hallelujah!
Eternal life thy soul shall have,
If you’ll only look to him, hallelujah
Look to Jesus who alone can save.
I will tell you how I came, hallelujah!
To Jesus when he made me whole –
‘Twas believing on His name, hallelujah!
I trusted and he saved my soul
May the joy of the Lord be our strength. Amen!
