Aren’t we supposed to enjoy life?

God intends for life to be full of joy, peace, contentment and love.  Consider any number of lists of traits the New Testament letters call for, including the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23.

Note this clear instruction from God:  “Rejoice, O  young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth.  Walk in the ways of your  heart, and in the sight of your eyes;  but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment.  Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity”  (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10).  It sounds like God wants us to enjoy life, have a good time, do things we like to do and pursue things we like!

However, while we pursue all those enjoyable pleasant things, we must remember that God will judge.  Specifically, He will judge and punish sin and destructive rebellion.  That should not detract from anybody’s rejoicing!  Sin brings guilt, breaks relationships, ruins health, steals our time and money with no profitable return.  Ungodliness does not bring joy.  At best, it supplies a short-lived happiness that is never satisfied.  The ultimate consequence of sin is eternal grief and sorrow.

So, put away the sorrow and evil and rejoice in the good things of life that come from God!  Find God and find the good things of life that supply joy, peace, contentment and love.  Rejoice!