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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
upon them in the night season, and be happy.—Lt 7, 1892. (
Selected
Messages 2:244
.)
Happiness Not Self-willed—Jesus wants you to be happy, but you
cannot be happy in having your own way and following the impulses
of your own heart.... Our notions, our peculiarities, are wholly human
and must not be humored or indulged. Self is to be crucified, not now
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and then but daily, and the physical, mental, and spiritual must be
subordinate to the will of God. The glory of God, the perfection of
Christian character, is to be the aim, the purpose, of our life. Christ’s
followers must imitate Christ in disposition.... Like Christ is the
watchword, not like your father or your mother, but like Jesus Christ—
hid in Christ, clothed with Christ’s righteousness, imbued with the
Spirit of Christ.—Lt 25, 1882. (HC 29.)
Selfish Happiness Is Ill Balanced—Happiness that is sought from
selfish motives, outside of the path of duty, is ill balanced, fitful, and
transitory; it passes away, and the soul is filled with loneliness and
sorrow; but there is joy and satisfaction in the service of God. The
Christian is not left to walk in uncertain paths; he is not left to vain
regrets and disappointments. If we do not have the pleasures of this
life, we may still be joyful in looking to the life beyond.—
Steps to
Christ, 124, 125
(1892).
Heart at Peace With God—At the foundation of the ruin of many
homes lies the passion for display. Men and women scheme and plan
to get means in order that they may appear richer than their neighbors.
But even though they may succeed in their desperate struggle, they
are not truly happy. True happiness springs from a heart at peace with
God.—MS 99, 1902. (
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:941, 942
.)
Love Brings Happiness—From a worldly point of view, money
is power; but from the Christian standpoint, love is power. Intellectual
and spiritual strength are involved in this principle. Pure love has
special efficacy to do good, and can do nothing but good. It prevents
discord and misery, and brings the truest happiness. Wealth is often an
influence to corrupt and destroy; force is strong to do hurt; but truth
and goodness are the properties of pure love.—
Testimonies for the
Church 4:138
(1876).
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The Golden Rule Makes Happiness—“All things whatsoever ye
would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (
Matthew
7:12
). The Saviour taught this principle to make mankind happy, not