HAPPINESS: YOUR WHOLE AMBITION TO BE
         LIKE JESUS

         By A. W. Tozer
 

    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
         transformed by the renewing of your mind,that ye
         may prove what is that good, andacceptable, and
         perfect will of God.      -- Romans 12:2
 

            The assumption that human beings are born "to be
         happy" is scarcely questioned by anyone in today's
         society and the effect of this modern hedonism is felt
         also among the people of God.

            The Christian gospel is too often presented as a means
         toward happiness, to peace of mind or security.
         There are even those who use the Bible to "relax"
         them, as if it were a drug.

            How far wrong all this is, will be discovered easily by
         the simple act of reading the New Testament through
         once, with meditation. There the emphasis is not upon
         happiness but upon holiness. God is more concerned
         with the state of people's hearts than with the state of
         their feelings.

            Undoubtedly the will of God brings final happiness to
         those who obey, but the most important matter is not
         how happy we are but how holy!

            The childish clamor after happiness can become a real
         snare. One may easily deceive himself by cultivating a
         religious joy without a correspondingly righteous life.

            For those who take this whole thing seriously I have a
         suggestion: Go to God and have an understanding. Tell
         Him that it is your desire to be holy at any cost and then
         ask Him never to give you more happiness than  holiness!

            Be assured, that in the end you will be as happy
         as you are holy; but for the time being, let your whole
         ambition be to serve God and be Christlike!
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         Yours in Christ,
         Paul N. F.