我們已經明白到，只有在學懂與基督建立密切的關係，留在神的國度裡，我們才能夠經歷真正的歡欣和喜樂。雖然耶穌的教導清楚表明快樂是公義的副產品（公義的意思是變得越來越像基督），但是仍有數以千計的基督徒對這真理只說不做。快樂仍然是他們的目標，公義只是他們的渴望。

讓我再向你闡釋另一個要點，當你與任何沒有經歷過真正快樂的基督徒坐下談話時，你就會發現，他們的內心從來不曾清楚明白耶穌所說的這重要原則：「飢渴慕義的人有福了！因為他們必得飽足。」在透過基督徒輔導尋求幫助的人當中，十之其九都有這種情況。他們尋求輔導時，被問及想體驗甚麼時說：「我想有好的感覺，」或者是「我想感到快樂。」

我並不是批評或譴責這些人，因為我知道自己心裡也有同樣的傾向。每當我因為某些事情掙扎或感到受傷害時，我當時的渴望是除去負面的感覺，恢復我失去的快樂。但是我們嘗試尋找快樂，就好像希望能第一時間熟睡一樣──只要你有意識和熱切地希望能夠把它緊緊抓住，它就不會出現。所以，唯一的辦法是：無論在甚麼境況中，做你需要做的一切去榮耀基督。這樣快樂必定會飄揚──這是肯定的。

Quietly we are coming to see that it is only as we learn to dwell at God's right hand in fellowship with Christ that we can experience true happiness and joy. Despite the clear teaching of Jesus that happiness is a by-product of righteousness (becoming more and more like Christ), there are still thousands of Christians paying no more than lip service to this truth. Happiness is their goal, righteousness merely their desire.

I am speaking generally when I make this next point, but sit down with any Christian who does not experience true happiness and you will find, deep within that person's heart, that they have never come to a clear understanding of this important principle uttered by Jesus: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." The same condition can be noted in nine out of ten people who seek help through Christian counselling Ask them what they want to experience as they go through counselling, and they say, "I want to feel good", or "I want to feel happy."

I imply no criticism or condemnation of these people, for I know that the same tendency exists in my own heart. Whenever I am struggling or hurting over some issue, my immediate desire is to get rid of the negative feelings and recover my lost happiness. But to try to find happiness is like trying to fall asleep. As long as you consciously and zealously try to grasp it, it fails to come. There is only one way: it is to do whatever you have to do in the situation to glorify Christ. Then happiness inevitably bubbles upward - as it must.