A Common Misunderstanding

In America, there exists a prevalent and uniquely American (and increasingly global) misinterpretation of what it means to follow Jesus. Here are a few illustrative quotes:

“God wants us to thrive financially, to possess wealth, and to achieve the destiny He has set for us.” (Rev. Joel Osteen)

“Where does it state in the Bible that I must drive a Honda?” (Rev. Benny Hinn)

“Well, you need to hear about money, because you won’t experience love, joy, and peace without it!” (Rev. Creflo Dollar)

“You don’t possess a god within you; you are one.” (Kenneth Copeland)

Are these perspectives accurate? Is your life in Christ intended to bring you happiness, prosperity, and health? What does Jesus actually say about your happiness?

The True Nature of Discipleship

A recurring scene in the gospels illustrates a critical point:

1. Jesus foretells His death.
2. The disciples react in a way that contradicts His message.
3. Jesus gathers them to clarify the essence of discipleship.

In the Gospel of Mark (chapters 8, 9, and 10), Jesus predicts His demise three times, and each time, the disciples fail to grasp the significance. In these moments, Jesus offers the clearest guidance on being His disciple.

During His first prediction, Peter attempted to dissuade Jesus from speaking of His death. Jesus dismissed Peter’s viewpoint, stating, “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Peter longed for Jesus to establish an earthly reign, a desire for power and success in this world.

Jesus corrected Peter, emphasizing the true definition of discipleship: “Whoever wishes to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34). This statement embodies the essence of being a follower of Jesus.

Three Aspects of Being a Disciple

This statement consists of three components:

1. Deny Yourself

   This calls for relinquishing personal interests and surrendering control of your life to Jesus. It transcends the simple act of giving up a pleasure, like chocolate during Lent. It’s about denying your very self.

2. Take Up Your Cross

   This references Jesus’ own crucifixion and invites His followers to join Him in that journey. Each disciple would ultimately face their own trials for their faith (traditionally, Peter faced crucifixion in Rome).

Jesus stated, “Whoever tries to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (Mt. 16:25).

3. Follow Jesus

   We must follow Him wherever He leads. And where does He go? He ventures into the most challenging circumstances—where suffering, poverty, and injustice prevail. In these darkest places, Jesus is already present, inviting us to join Him.

This perspective does not align with a promise of earthly happiness. The distorted gospel that suggests Jesus’ purpose is to ensure our happiness is gravely misleading. The core of the “Good News” is a crucified Christ who calls us to surrender our selfish desires and follow Him into the world’s most challenging situations.

What Does Jesus Care About?

Jesus is not primarily focused on your happiness; rather, He cares about your obedience. He stated, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (Jn. 14:24). His command is to go out and make disciples of all nations (Mt. 28:19). He calls us to deny ourselves, bear our crosses, and follow Him.

Jesus is not chiefly concerned with your happiness but with your mission. He made this evident: “Whoever tries to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel will save it” (Luke 9:24).

He emphasized the importance of the mission. When Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter affirmed, “Yes.” Then, Jesus instructed him, “Feed my sheep” (Jn. 21:17), redirecting Peter towards his new purpose in life.

“Do you wish to follow me?” Jesus queried. “If you do, be prepared; you might not have a place to rest your head” (Mt. 8:20).

We are increasingly drawn to a version of Christianity that replaces Jesus at the core of the gospel with our personal agendas, transforming the mission from saving lives to pursuing wealth, health, and happiness. This representation is a diluted and feeble reflection of Jesus' true mission—one that calls for self-sacrifice and unwavering commitment to Him.

Does God Want You to Be Happy?

Does this imply that God desires your misery? Not at all. It simply indicates that your happiness is not His primary focus. At times, you may experience profound joy; at others, you may feel despondent. Yet, you will always find joy, and ultimately, you will find fulfillment. This is the essence of belonging to Jesus.

The first video titled "Doesn't God Just Want Me to be Happy?" examines the misconceptions surrounding happiness in the Christian faith and challenges viewers to rethink their understanding of God's desires for them.

The second video titled "Does God Want You to Be Happy?" delves into the true nature of happiness from a biblical perspective, exploring what it means to follow Christ beyond personal satisfaction.