The Key to Happiness - Just One Word

The secret of happiness can be found in one word:

< righteousness >

To make it clearer, it is:

< do the right things >

To make it even clearer, it is:

< do the right things and don't follow evil >

What are the right things?
< the moral laws, e.g. Law of God. >

When?
< all the time.... focus on it day & night.>

The Outcome?
< Give fruit at the right time and do well no matter what .>

Who say it? Where is the authority for us to believe it?

The Bible, Psalm 1

Let us use the 'Bible In Basic English BBE' translation:

Happy is the man who does not

1. go in the company of sinners, or < choose your friend wisely >
2. take his place in the way of evil-doers, or <watch your ways and steps>
3. in the seat of those who do not give honour to the Lord. <revere God. Be accountable and responsible. There is a day of judgement for all. see v5>

(Psa 1:1)

But whose delight

1. is in the law of the Lord, and <the what - God's Law is for our success & happiness. There are not joy killers as the devils want you to believe>
2. whose mind is on his law day and night. <the when-always & focus on Phil 4:8 true,honest, just, pure, lovely, good, praise-worthy .... > (Psa 1:2)

<The Outcomes of the Righteous >
He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, <foundation, the source is key .... joy is from within and not depend on external circumstances> See  also The Secrets of True Happiness

which gives its fruit at the right time, <not all the time - there are seasons of life   joy+sadness can happen at the same time. >

whose leaves will ever be green; <but always healthy, joyful, pleasant>

and he will do well in all his undertakings. <the Midas' touch!  >  (Psa 1:3)


The evil-doers are not so; but are like the dust from the grain, which the wind takes away. (Psa 1:4)

For this cause there will be no mercy for sinners when they are judged, and the evil-doers will have no place among the upright, (Psa 1:5)  <there is an eventual separation of good and evil>

Because the Lord sees the way of the upright, but the end of the sinner is destruction. (Psa 1:6)

For more, please listen to Tim Keller's message on http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/search-happiness

That was David's formula for happiness.

Here is Jesus' formula
The Behavior of His Kingdom People - Mat 5:3-12

A mind map is reproduced here:

Lim Liat (C) 30 Nov 2012