Happy and Joy
Happy (μακάριος) is an attitude of enjoyment and delight, whereas Joy (χαρά) is contentment. In action, joy is rejoicing; however, it is different from exultation (ἀγαλλιάω), Matthew 5:12.
When the magi of the east saw the star of David rise, they knew the King of the Jews was born. They responded to this finding by rejoicing with very great joy because their discovery brought them happiness, Matthew 2:10. Zacharias is informed by an angel that the Lord has heard his supplication for a son. Elizabeth will bear him a boy, and he will have joy and gladness along with many others who will rejoice at his birth, Luke 1:14. In addressing the saints of Philippi, Paul expresses that they are his joy, Philippians 4:1. For they bring him a sense of delight just as the saints in Thessalonica, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, even though Paul has been separated from them through the persecution he was facing. Not only did they receive the gospel of the Christ, but they also took hold of eternal life through obedience to the gospel. During Christ’s ministry, as He proclaimed the gospel of the Kingdom of the Heavens, some of the Jews immediately received the message with joy; however, they were like seeds on stony ground that have no root, so they only endure for a short time, Matthew 4:16. Joy is not emotionally centered because it is also shown by the spirit beings, who do not possess a soul. There is great joy in heaven over one sinner changing his mind, Luke 15:7.
Unlike joy, which is often expressed in rejoicing because of satisfaction, happy is more of a state of mind. Happy is the man to whom the Lord does not impute sin, Romans 4:8. During the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus was speaking to the Jews about His coming kingdom, He expressed many reasons for them to be happy, even when facing persecution and being forced out into the wilderness by the Gentiles and the man of lawlessness. Happy are those who lack knowledge concerning what is happening in Jerusalem and to the temple, Matthew 5:3. Happy are those who mourn because they have hope of being comforted, Matthew 5:4. The Jews that maintain an objectivity of mind, hunger and thirst after righteousness, show mercy, have a pure heart, and are reviled because of Christ, while they await the return of the Messiah to deliver them, can be happy because they will inherit the earth, be filled, obtain mercy, see God, and be called the sons of God, Matthew 5:5-11.
The Christian has a happy hope that comes from knowing that the Lord will return, Titus 2:13. Happiness is a characteristic of God, for He is a happy Being, 1 Timothy 6:15. Joy is an aspect of the character of Christ, seen in the fruit from the Spirit, Galatians 5:22. When a Christian is Spiritual, emanating the things from the Spirit, he will be able to use this fruit, which will result in a sense of contentment in any situation. For we should learn to be satisfied with what we have and not be covetous, Hebrews 13:5.
Happiness is a state of mind that comes from a sense of well-being. Joy comes from experiencing a situation that turns out in a beneficial way, even when the circumstances are not ideal. Both happiness and joy are logical in nature, not emotional. Therefore, we can be happy and have joy even when facing negative circumstances because of the sense of well-being that comes from knowing that God will never leave us or forsake us.
Working Out Your Own Salvation
So that, my beloved, just as always you obeyed, not as only in my presence but now much more in my absence, with respect and trembling, work out your own salvation.
The Gospel of John The Spirit of Truth
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you into the age. The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
1 Peter The God of Grace will Mend Us
Moreover, the God of all grace, the one who called you into His eternal glory in Christ, after having suffered for a little while, Himself will mend, establish, strengthen, ground you.
Vigilant (γρηγορέω)
In 1 Peter 5:8, we are instructed to be watchful because our adversary, the Devil, roars around seeking whom he may swallow up. Vigilant (γρηγορέω) means to watch; be on alert for danger.
On his way to Jerusalem, Paul takes the opportunity to stop in Ephesus to encourage the Pastors to shepherd the flock of God while taking heed for themselves, Acts 20:28. When he is gone, he is aware that savage wolves will come in among them, Acts 20:39. Even some of their own will draw away disciples after themselves, rejecting the truth and seeking the glory of men, Acts 20:30. Therefore, they are to be on alert, for Paul has warned them of the dangers for the past three years, Acts 20:31. This assembly listened to Paul’s instruction. They tested those who claimed to be apostles and were not, finding them liars. They kept watch in their work, hard labor, and patience, not bearing things that were wrong. However, in doing so, they lost their love for the brethren, Revelation 2:4. We are to remain on guard for false teachers while being cautious not to fall into the same trap as the saints in Ephesus and lose our love for fellow saints.
After rebuking and exhorting the saints of Corinth, Paul encourages them to be vigilant and stand firm in the faith. Rather than being carnal, they are to do all things out from love, 1 Corinthians 16:13. They are to welcome those who are doing the work of the Lord and pay attention to the dangers of false apostles, who had infiltrated their assemblies and caused a lot of spiritual damage. Still today, their impact is felt among many assemblies that are focused on emotional content, which leads to divisions, envy, and strife. They do not grow Spiritually because they are not watching out for the dangers of this world and are tossed around by every wind of teaching by the trickery of men to deceive them. In the same way, those of the reformed or covenant assemblies today are warned to be watchful, for many claim to follow Jesus. Yet they reject the truth of the gospel and are, therefore, dead. Strengthen the things that remain and do not defile yourselves with the false doctrine from these types of assemblies, Revelation 3:1.
We are sons of the light; therefore, let us not sleep. Instead, we are to be watchful with a clear mind, having on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of salvation for God has not appointed us unto any quality of wrath, but to possess salvation, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-9. As we are being watchful for danger from those who bring false doctrine and seek to gain disciples unto themselves, let us lay hold of eternal life, casting off the things of darkness while putting on the new man, and walk as those who are of the day.