Happiness vs. Joy

[Vine Abider]

Everything I understand about happiness indicates that happiness is contingent on something occurring.  For instance, an event, an accomplishment, a thing acquired, something someone does for us, a mood or feeling, etc. & etc.  So we may be happy one moment and unhappy the next, considering how we perceive things are going.

But joy in Christ is not contingent upon anything, except the person and work of Christ.  And He is the same yesterday, today and forever - therefore our joy should not fluctuate, because we have been given all things in Christ!!!

Of course in our flesh, we are all over the place . . . this just tells us we simply need to be attuned - moment by moment - to our spirit, which is one with Christ!  Our joy is solid and forever, because we've been placed in Him!

[AdHoc]

2 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

Everything I understand about happiness indicates that happiness is contingent on something occurring.  For instance, an event, an accomplishment, a thing acquired, something someone does for us, a mood or feeling, etc. & etc.  So we may be happy one moment and unhappy the next, considering how we perceive things are going.

But joy in Christ is not contingent upon anything, except the person and work of Christ.  And He is the same yesterday, today and forever - therefore our joy should not fluctuate, because we have been given all things in Christ!!!

Of course in our flesh, we are all over the place . . . this just tells us we simply need to be attuned - moment by moment - to our spirit, which is one with Christ!  Our joy is solid and forever, because we've been placed in Him!

I tend to agree. the word "happiness" starts with what "happens". What happens might bring "joy" but it is but fleeting. "Joy" is a lasting condition. It is associated with the coming Millennial Kingdom. In this age we might have "heaviness" for we can suffer. But promotion to king in God's Kingdom (and I don't mean heaven) is the cause for "joy". Of our Lord Hebrews says; 

 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Heb.12:2–3).

We see that "joy" is something future here. But who will find a scripture for present joy?

By the way, the Second Death, used interchangeably with the Lake of Fire, is the opposite of "joy". The Greek for "perdition" means "lack of well-being". Of its inmates scripture says; "... the smoke of their TORMENT ... " (Rev.14:11). The enemies of God have this future, but we must be sober. The servants of Christ are faced with "weeping and gashing of teeth". Matthew 24:48 shows that the once good servant, but who turned to evil, was a Christian. "... but THAT servant ... sayeth MY LORD delayeth ...". Tis shows us that the "JOY" must be earned - just as Jesus did.

[timf]

I see "fun" as false joy or happiness. I have counseled thousands of people and have observed the pursuit of sensations as ultimately unsatisfying and often leading to pain in life. I have also observed some who extract themselves from difficulties only to return because they were bored.

The cycle described is of the flesh (selfishness). The door through which to pass out of boredom is selflessness. It is in this realm (walking by the Spirit for the Christian) that happiness is found. We can see this in the biblical definition of love (1Cor 13:4-7).

I see happiness as what might be called "contentment" and more of a continuing state/

1Ti 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Joy or rejoicing I see more as a punctuated event in happiness such as upon consideration of something that triggers an appreciation of the profound.

Php_4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

[Vine Abider]

14 hours ago, AdHoc said:

 This shows us that the "JOY" must be earned - just as Jesus did.

5I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples. 9As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. 10If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. 11I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.  (from John 15)

[Marilyn C]

21 hours ago, AdHoc said:

 Tis shows us that the "JOY" must be earned - just as Jesus did.

Hi Ad Hoc,

`Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, steadfast in prayer.` (Rom. 12: 12)

21 hours ago, AdHoc said:

I tend to agree. the word "happiness" starts with what "happens". What happens might bring "joy" but it is but fleeting. "Joy" is a lasting condition. It is associated with the coming Millennial Kingdom. In this age we might have "heaviness" for we can suffer.

I certainly am NOT looking for the millennial kingdom where there is still sin, pain, suffering etc.

[AdHoc]

8 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

5I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples. 9As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. 10If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. 11I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.  (from John 15)

Amen! There are two "joys" in your underlined sentence; "My (the Lord's) joy" and "your joy". Notice the conditions for bearing fruit, remaining in Gods love and having complete joy. Notice too that failure to DO these things is not neutral. "Burning" is the consequence. A Tree in parable is always a king and his kingdom (Judges 9, Daniel 4 and Ezekiel 31). Here it is the inner kingdom of life, not like the Olive Tree which is the administrative kingdom. But the cutting out of branches is common to both.

And, you're right. Joy is not only for the Millennial Kingdom. It appears 69 times in the New Testament. In Luke 6 we are have "exceeding joy" when persecuted for His sake - a seeming paradox when about to be burned at the stake.

[BeyondET]

There is no difference between words like glad happy rejoice joy jubilant etc. Only if you imagine it to be.

The only difference is rather its a healthy or not healthy feeling. If you find joy in killing someone that isn't healthy no doubt.

[AdHoc]

1 hour ago, Marilyn C said:

Hi Ad Hoc,

`Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, steadfast in prayer.` (Rom. 12: 12)

I certainly am NOT looking for the millennial kingdom where there is still sin, pain, suffering etc.

Hi too sister. Amen to both! Joy contingent on hope. And you are correct. Most Christians look for Utopia in the Millennium. I call it "scissors utopia". They have to cut many verses out of both old and new Testaments. Edom remains a wilderness, men dying at a hundred years being called infants, the rule of the rod of iron, Hades filled with the dead of Harmon-Gog, the sea full of dead, no rain for those who do not go up to Jerusalem, Noah's Covenant still valid with the death sentence, Israel burying the dead of Harmon-Gog for seven months, the smoke of the torment of those in the Lake of Fire, and "the poor you will ALWAYS have with you". Oh yes ... I forgot, king Marilyn C having to issue a death penalty at least once among every new generation of the Nations she is given to rule. Either that or dereliction of duty.

Adam and Eve were not made for utopia. They were made to "subdue".

[Marilyn C]

4 hours ago, AdHoc said:

Hi too sister. Amen to both! Joy contingent on hope. And you are correct. Most Christians look for Utopia in the Millennium. I call it "scissors utopia". They have to cut many verses out of both old and new Testaments. Edom remains a wilderness, men dying at a hundred years being called infants, the rule of the rod of iron, Hades filled with the dead of Harmon-Gog, the sea full of dead, no rain for those who do not go up to Jerusalem, Noah's Covenant still valid with the death sentence, Israel burying the dead of Harmon-Gog for seven months, the smoke of the torment of those in the Lake of Fire, and "the poor you will ALWAYS have with you". Oh yes ... I forgot, king Marilyn C having to issue a death penalty at least once among every new generation of the Nations she is given to rule. Either that or dereliction of duty.

Adam and Eve were not made for utopia. They were made to "subdue".

Mmmmm and we are made like Christ to be on His very own throne in the highest. (Rev. 3: 21) Kings and priests. Those on earth will never be given such authority. 

[AdHoc]

17 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

Mmmmm and we are made like Christ to be on His very own throne in the highest. (Rev. 3: 21) Kings and priests. Those on earth will never be given such authority. 

Last time I saw our Lord's throne it was set up o earth. In Matthew 25:31-46 "ALL Nations" are gathered before it. Unless there is a rapture for every man, woman and child alive after the Tribulation, that "Throne of His glory" must be on earth. The throne that Christ sits on after Revelation Chapter 4 while He present in the clouds is not a "Thronos", but a "Bema".

But we've had this out a few times now, so let's do a turn about. Why don't you tell me, in one paragraph minimum, a truth that the Lord recently showed you. I will tell mine and you can object or enjoy with me. Feel free.

I always wondered why the fifth seal was the saints under the altar in Revelation 6:9. They're dead and have no bearing on events on earth. I judge the first four seals to be the "birth pangs" predicted in Matthew 24. Why suddenly leave the horsemen who plague the earth and turn to a place under the earth (for the altar of sacrifice must be fixed to the earth - Ex.20:25-26). Well, i mulled this point for literally decades. And then the light went on and i realized that one of the most scary things facing men s the thought that God the seed of Abraham His friends and anybody who touched them actually touched God. And so much so that He (God) would recompense them double (Rev.18:6). Christian bashing is a big no-no. The world's rough handling of the children of God is going to be rvenge - so much so that men will seek death. This retribution takes on new dimensions when you see that in the judgment of the Nations, th goats could be sentenced to the Lake of Fire for refusing a Christian a glass of water.

In the age of grace we are psyched to forgive such a slight, but God won't. He made this a matter of Covenant, and He has the enviable reputation of doing exactly what He promised. In Revelation 12 we have the warning of "woe" to the inhabitants of the earth when Satan is ejected from heaven. He is, no doubt, a formidable enemy. But his actions are not one of the seals. How the Lord values us and what level of fellowship we have been classed with. Oh how I have misjudged the Father's view of His saints! When dealing with each other it might do us well to remember what level of friendship we have in God's eyes, and how He jealously avenges the slightest injury to one of His.