Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
Good day to each of you reading this column on Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness.
I am sure you heard of this saying, but did you know where it originated from? If you guessed the Declaration of Independence then you are correct.
According to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life,_Liberty_and_the_pursuit_of_Happiness
“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” is a well-known phrase from the United States Declaration of Independence. The phrase gives three examples of the unalienable rights which the Declaration says have been given to all humans by their creator, and which governments are created to protect. Like the other principles in the Declaration of Independence, this phrase is not legally binding, but has been widely referenced and seen as an inspiration for the basis of government.
As the USA approaches 250 years, let us reflect on this phrase for the declaration has been given to all humans by our creator.
I wish to use the three examples from a Biblical point as a Christian. So, let’s begin with life.
(Turn to John 3:16 NIV)– 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
As Christmas approaches, look no further than the Bible for you have opened the greatest present ever given, ETERNAL LIFE! That’s right, ETERNAL LIFE! Why? Because God so loved the world and everyone that He has created that He (GOD) gave his one and only son so that each of us could have eternal life.
Now ponder on this—Eternal Life is given to you and I for free, as long as you believe in him. Now I can’t think of one present that comes close to eternal life and it is free.
1 John 4:9-10 (NIV) 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Eternal life and love flow from the same vein for this is how God showed his love for each of us and that God sacrificed his one and only son so that his Son atoned for our sins.
Let’s turn to liberty for liberty is the quality or state of being free to act, speak, or think as one want, without unnecessary restraint or control, but within limits that respect others freedoms and societal needs. Now that is man’s explanation of the word per the AI overview.
As a Christian, what liberty or liberties come to mind? God gives you choices in all that you say and do for He has not made us robots. When we sin, we have taken the liberty to do so, but we are responsible for our actions.
God has given us freedom to do what is right, choose our paths in life, think about our actions and act upon doing that which is right so we are made complete in God.
The liberty that God gave Adam and Eve shows that they both took the sinful path, and as AI says removed the respect to the future population’s freedoms and societal needs. In other words, sin entered the world and because it was due to self, we have a mess.
I am with Patrick Henry who said, “Give me liberty, or give me death,” as quoted at the St. Johns Church in Richmond, VA. I will take liberty each time over death.
Now to the pursuit of happiness and AI overview– The “pursuit of happiness” means the fundamental right to seek personal fulfillment, flourishing, and a meaningful life, rooted in the Declaration of Independence, reflecting Enlightenment ideas of self-governance and virtue, not just chasing fleeting pleasure, but achieving a state of eudaimonia (human flourishing) through practicing virtues like temperance, industry, and self-mastery. It’s a lifelong quest for moral and personal improvement, essential for a functioning republic.
Do you remember in Vacation Bible School singing “If you’re happy and you know it? I found the lyrics at mission bible class.org–
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands. (2 times)
If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it.
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it stomp your feet. (2 times)
If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it.
If you’re happy and you know it stomp your feet.
If you’re happy and you know it shout “Amen”. (2 times)
If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it.
If you’re happy and you know it shout “Amen”.
If you’re happy and you know it do all three. (2 times)
If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it.
If you’re happy and you know it do all three.
The pursuit of happiness begins with a child, the laugh, the smile and that pep in the step to make a bad day good and frown into a smile.
Turn with me to Psalm 100:1-5 (KJV) 100 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Man’s pursuit for happiness should be in serving the Lord with gladness and to come before his presence with singing.
Here are some Bible verses for your pursuit for happiness in the Lord:
(Proverbs 3:13 KJV) 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
(Psalm 16:11 NIV) You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
Footnotes
- 16:11 Greek version reads You have shown me the way of life, / and you will fill me with the joy of your presence. Compare Acts 2:28.
(Acts 2:28 NIV) You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.
(Philippians 4:4 NIV) 4Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
(Psalm 144:15 KJV) 15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.
Wow! What a verse– happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.
I hope you have enjoyed my take, biblically on the title; so, don’t worry and be happy that we know without a doubt that God is our Lord for eternity!
Stay tuned, as I will bring a Christmas message for you.
