The Source of Happiness and Joy: How to Live a Happy and Joyful Life and in the End Reign with Christ in the New Jerusalem

By George Walterfield Roberts

The greatest and most frequently asked question in the world is now being answered. George W.

Roberts has presented the answer in this book entitled: "The source of happiness and joy." People are

concerned about what will happen after death. Jesus Christ, our creator and savior, is the only person

that knows the future.

The author believes that he has received a holy spirit revelation and is eager to convey the message to

the world of what Christ says a person should do to enter the New Jerusalem.

Before we can enter the kingdom, there must be a time in our life when God sees no sin.

What time is this? The answers will be made abundantly clear in this book.

God has also given us a promise: "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." (John 11: 26.)

We are required to live in obedience to His will.

Jesus Christ who will be the judge, says that many will be disappointed at the judgement. As a result,

the message proclaimed in this book will be a revelation of exactly what Christ requires for entrance to

His eternal kingdom.

About the Author

George W. Roberts holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica, an honor Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of

Toronto, with a double major in philosophy and sociology, an honors BBA degree from Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada, and an MBA from South University, Savannah Georgia USA

He obtained the Delta Mu Delta award in 2014.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9781638748052

Book preview

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The Source of Happiness and Joy

How to Live a Happy and Joyful Life and in the End Reign with Christ in the New Jerusalem

George Walterfield Roberts

ISBN 978-1-63874-804-5 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63874-805-2 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by George Walterfield Roberts

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1

Salvation: The Message Christ Proclaimed

Chapter 2

The Authors of the Bible Are Inspired by God

Chapter 3

Jesus Christ Is God, the Everlasting Father

Chapter 4

Heaven: The Eternal Home of the Saints

Chapter 5

What We Should Do to Obtain Eternal Life

Chapter 6

We Are Saved by Grace through Faith

Chapter 7

Repentance

Chapter 8

Read and Study the Scripture

Chapter 9

The Second Coming of Christ

Chapter 10

Men Art Always to Pray and Not Faint

Chapter 11

Humility

Conclusion

Bibliography

About the Author

Introduction

Christ came from heaven to earth for a particular purpose. He came to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). This means that Christ is making a call and will open the path to salvation for anyone who repents. This truth was revealed in the interaction between Christ and Zacchaeus. In order to get a good view of Christ, Zacchaeus went before the crowd and climbed to the top of a tree. Upon nearing the tree, Jesus requested that Zacchaeus descend. Afterward, Jesus accompanied Zacchaeus and stayed at his home. Zacchaeus repented his sins and made restitution. Jesus obviously forgave him, informing him that on that day, salvation had come to his home. Similarly, Jesus came as man's Redeemer. He died for our sins, pointing out the way of salvation. This teaching is made quite clear in the following passage:

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11–14)

The above text from the Bible speaks of Christ's return as the blessed hope. It is indeed a joyful hope as the occasion will be the fulfillment of a promise from God that is intended to make us happy in this life. This book is written with the aim of outlining the steps that should be taken to obtain true happiness. Everybody in this world desires to live a happy life. For example, the American constitution claims that an individual has three basic rights—the right to freedom, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. People strive to experience joy by involving themselves in different types of activities and undertakings. Many entrepreneurs are known to have transformed their small business ventures into multimillion corporations. Proprietors of many small social media companies have realized significant growth in earnings and are now some of the leading billionaires in the United States. The music industry is also a field where a singer or celebrity could become quite wealthy quite fast through the sales of a breakthrough album. Nothing is wrong with working untiringly or undertaking a business that leads to the accumulation of substantial wealth in just a few years. Provided that the money is earned honestly, without any fraudulent transactions, people who succeed to become remarkably wealthy should be complemented. However, money alone does not lead to happiness and joy, as evidenced by the number of millionaires who are recorded to have died this very year from suicide and drug overdose.

Studies have shown that accumulating more wealth does not bring happiness. Rather, it is recommended that an individual cherish what he has. Once our basic needs are met, exerting strenuous efforts to secure an increase in wealth does not necessarily increase our joy. There are various definitions circulating as to what constitutes happiness, and some of these views fall short of what it genuinely entails. One such definition is as follows: It's a kind of inner peace, sense of contentment, or maybe even excitement, or a feeling of general well-being. This could undisputedly be accepted as a contemporary definition of happiness. Arguably, there are many other plausible definitions of what happiness implies. Rather than basing our claims on a mere definition, it might be advisable to shift our focus to the true source of happiness. Thomas Aquinas, who points us to God as the true source, writes,

It is impossible for any created good to constitute man's happiness. For happiness is that perfect good which entirely satisfies one's desire; otherwise, it would not be the ultimate end, if something yet remained to be desired… This is to be found, not in any creature, but in God alone, because every creature has only participated goodness. Therefore, God alone can satisfy the will of man, according to the words of the Psalms (102:5): Who alone satisfies your desire with good things. Therefore, God alone constitutes man's happiness. (Summa Theologica Part 2. Q.1. Article 8)

This belief by Thomas Aquinas is born out of Scripture. Ecclesiastes 2:26 states, For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in his sight. In addition, given that the word happy in the Bible is the translation for blessed, the following passage outlines what we should do in order to be happy. Psalm 119:1 states,

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh, that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!

In this book, it will be argued that happiness is a gift from God. Christ wants us to be happy; he made us to be happy people. The primary purpose for his coming from heaven to the earth is to seek and save the lost. He is the Messiah, our Redeemer and Savior. This implies that the essential purpose for which Jesus descended from heaven to dwell on earth was to save man from death and separation from God through his death, burial, and resurrection. Scriptures reveal many other reasons why Christ came to earth, each of which is related to his overall goal of offering forgiveness and salvation to humanity. He loves the human family and is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Apart from his willingness to seek and save the lost during his earthly sojourn, Christ gave other reasons for his coming to the earth. All these other reasons are also related to the primary purpose of saving the lost. Two of these other reasons, which will form the central theme of this book, are mentioned in the following passages: (1) I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10) and (2) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:3). Throughout this book, it will be argued that Christ is the source of man's happiness and joy. Since he came that we might experience abundant life, it is implied that he will fill our hearts with his love and our lives with the fruits of the spirit. Each chapter in this book will reveal how we can obtain happiness in the Lord.

All Christians down through the ages placed their faith in the blessed hope. This hope is a promise made by Christ on his departure from earth to heaven. Our Lord informed the people of the world that he would be returning to heaven to prepare a place for us. If we place our trust in Christ and wholeheartedly believe in this promise, we will experience happiness in this life. Scripture teaches that in the New Jerusalem, faithful followers of Christ will dwell with him and be like him. This book will reveal that to be like him means that we will partake of God's happiness. Matthew 25:21 says, Well done, my good and faithful servant… Enter into your master's happiness. God says we can ultimately enter into the happiness that exists within God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This book is written with a target audience in mind. I hope that individuals who are addicted to drugs and those who are suicidal will have the opportunity to read this book. It is reported that since 2016, over 3,600 people have lost their lives to overdoses across BC. People are drawn to drugs/poisonous substances in the hope that they would be able to experience a great or wonderful feeling. Many people desire to be happy but are deceived into believing that joy can be obtained through indulgence in frivolous activities, including the indiscriminate consumption of forbidden drugs. The aim of this book is to explain to the prospective addict that God is the source of true happiness. If the message proclaimed in this book—the message of how joy and happiness can be obtained—leads to a reduction in deaths from drug overdose, the author would be elated.

Every year, many people commit suicide in Canada. According to the latest available data from Statistics Canada, an estimated 4,157 suicides took place in Canada in 2017, making it the ninth leading cause of death, between Alzheimer's disease (eighth) and cirrhosis and other liver diseases (tenth). Several studies have found hopelessness to be one of the reasons that contribute to the decision to commit suicide. When people feel they have lost all hope and don't feel able to change that, it can overshadow all of the good things in their life, making suicide seem like a viable option (Schimelpfening 2020). The quote above maintains that people who have lost all hope are more prone to making the decision to commit suicide. This book aims to present a message of hope for the future, especially to those individuals who are experiencing hopelessness in their lives, unaware of the bright future that awaits them. The author of this book will seize this opportunity to inform such individuals of the blessed hope. Each chapter in this book will expound on what the blessed hope entails. It will be revealed that there is no need to be sad because our Creator loves and cares for us daily. Since hopelessness has the tendency of overshadowing all the good things in a person's life, it will be pointed out that God will give good things to those who place their trust and faith in him. Mathew 6:33 says, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. The author holds a firm belief that many who are presently contemplating suicide will experience real joy as a result of reading and abiding by the message proclaimed in this book. They will realize that as a result of the promises made by our Heavenly Father, they can have peace instead of harboring feelings of hopelessness. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them (Psalm 119:165).

The book has eleven chapters, each of which will offer a clear explanation of what God has done to ensure that we experience happiness in this life. The Bible reveals that many who believe that they have lived a life acceptable unto God will be disappointed at the judgment. Scripture teaches that only those who live in obedience to the will of God will enter the kingdom of heaven. Consequently, the subsequent chapters of this book will provide a detailed discussion on what specifically is the will of God. The title of the first chapter is Salvation: The Message Christ Proclaimed. Salvation is a gift from God. It is Christ's original message. Obviously, God desires that we acquire a clear understanding of what should be reflected in our lives after we have gained the salvation that Christ offers. As a result, the steps or stages on the way to salvation shall be highlighted. Great effort and care have also been expended in the preparation of the chapter titled Repentance. In our present age, many members of religious organizations consider themselves Christians who have repented as they believe that they have turned from their sins. It is of paramount importance that the church knows what repentance means, owing to God's prediction that the Ninevites will condemn this generation in the judgment due to our failure to repent genuinely.

Matthew 12:41 says, The people of Nineveh will rise up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And now someone greater than Jonah is here––and you refuse to repent. In view of the above and to understand what God considers genuine repentance, this chapter shall present an analysis of the behavior of the Ninevites before and after they repented. Even though the Bible is claimed to be the best-selling book in the world, many people are unwilling to diligently read and study the words God desires to be communicated to us. This chapter will thus place great emphasis on the importance of the Bible. It will outline and discuss why, how, and when an individual should strive to gain meaningful knowledge of what is recorded in the Scriptures.

All readers of this book are advised to pay special attention to the chapters on prayer and humility. These chapters should be read as many times as possible. The chapter on prayer reveals what God meant when he said that men are always to pray and not faint. Since God is insisting that we should always pray, there are obviously numerous benefits that an individual could gain from God as a result of praying ceaselessly. The chapter will delineate the rewards that God will confer to those who pray fervently, and it is hoped that all followers of Christ, even if they do not see any immediate answers to their prayers, will be encouraged to this end. Prayer is a form of worship. Scripture teaches that God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). When we worship God in spirit and truth there must first be a transformation in mind and heart. The significance of this change will be clarified so that our prayer might be effectual and fervent. Everyone who prays seeks to obtain an answer. The Holy Scriptures reveal that certain conditions must be met before we can obtain answers to our prayers. Jesus Christ explains quite clearly what we should do in order for him to intercede and respond to our prayer requests. What Christ has commanded us to do will be made abundantly clear in this chapter.

The chapter on humility is entitled Humility: Except Ye Repent and Become as Little Children Ye Shall Not Enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Humility is the highest Christian virtue. God has made humility the standard that should be attained in this life by anyone who desires to dwell and reign with him in the New Jerusalem. What does the Bible say about how humility should be defined? Why has God made humility the requirement for entrance into the kingdom of heaven? A special effort is made in this chapter to provide clear and precise answers to these questions. Many religious organizations and pastors offer different explanations concerning how an individual should live if he desires to spend eternity with Christ. These answers will help to clear up doubts and remove confusions that presently prevail concerning the qualification for entrance to God's kingdom. In addition, our Lord and Savior requires that we be humble as little children. And said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). This text from the Bible is the most meaningful in all Scripture regarding our preparation in this life in order to be ready for the return of Christ. This passage and context will be thoroughly examined and presented in this chapter in order to get a clear understanding of what Christ means when he says that we should become as little children. Even though we might have failed in carrying out God's commands in many areas, if we live a humble life in the sight of God, a place will be offered to us in his eternal kingdom.

Chapter 1

Salvation: The Message Christ Proclaimed

In Christianity, salvation or deliverance or redemption is the saving [of] human beings from death and separation from God by Christ's death and resurrection. Salvation is not dependent on an individual's effort or accomplishments. Salvation is not earned through a person's good deeds. Notably, humanitarians might have made significant monetary contributions to support the work of the church. Their contributions have led to the feeding of millions in famine-torn countries. Similarly, many members of religious organizations have consistently paid faithful tithes and offerings, which have been used to carry out the church operations. Any individual who contributes of his means to assist in the proclamation of the gospel to earth's remotest bounds should always be complimented. However, no one can earn salvation through these kind deeds. Salvation is a gift of grace from God. When a person accepts the gift of salvation, they are said to be justified—made acceptable before (or made right with) God. We are saved by grace through faith. The just shall live by faith.

Salvation, Christ's original message, will be revealed more clearly through an understanding of the following objectives:

How should we live after accepting Christ's salvation?

Salvation requires that we forgive and seek forgiveness.

Christ's life on earth exemplifies humility and reconciliation.

Stages that point out the way to salvation.

Humility was shown in the life of the woman of Samaria.

Salvation brings happiness and joy.

Salvation can neither be earned nor bought. This teaching is one of the most profound truths in the Bible. Salvation is the gift of God to man. It offers eternal life and deliverance from death and condemnations. The Bible puts it this way: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Faithful acceptance of the gift of salvation brings joy and happiness. Christ, our Creator and Redeemer, knows what will make us happy in this life. Psalm 13:5 says, But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. There are numerous instances in Scripture where petitions are made to God for the blessings that salvation offers. For example, after David sinned by committing adultery, he genuinely repented and prayed earnestly to God for forgiveness. David desired to be restored. In Psalm 51:1, he says; Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit. The aforementioned two verses reveal that joy and happiness will be the experience of those who willingly accept Christ's offer of salvation. As expounded previously, salvation is the teaching that Christ returned to heaven after his resurrection and is, at this time, preparing a place for us. He will return someday to grant eternal life to those who faithfully serve him. Consequently, salvation is associated with joy in this life and eternal bliss in the hereafter. This belief will be the central theme of each chapter in this book.

The teaching that after this life on earth, humanity will either spend eternity in heaven or experience separation and death in hell is widely proclaimed. Individuals are usually willing to listen to a sermon or a discussion on a topic concerning life after death. It is an important topic. Many who wholeheartedly believe that heaven could be their home have lived a life filled with joy. Just the mere thought of knowing that there will be no sorrows or unsurmountable problems in heaven brings happiness and peace of mind. This ecstatic state on earth will only be realized when there is not much uncertainties about what will happen to us after death.

Many articles have been written on how future uncertainties reduce happiness in this present life. Man's primary aim in this life is to become involved in activities or undertakings that contribute to happiness and prosperity. I will argue in this book that unless we have gained an understanding of where we will live after this life, we cannot genuinely be happy.

The gospel, the message of salvation, must be proclaimed to earth's remotest bounds. Christ gave this commission to his disciples. All Christians and faithful followers