Source of Eternal Happiness in Christ's Salvation

The eternal happiness of believers in Christ's salvation is rooted in God's grace and finds its ultimate expression in an unending relationship with God and Christ, characterized by joy, peace, and the fulfillment of divine promises. This happiness is not earned through human merit but is a gift received through faith ^[11].

The concept of "eternal life" itself encompasses the entire future of the redeemed, standing in contrast to eternal punishment ^[5]. It is described as the final reward and glory that God's children enter into, a Sabbath of rest ^[5]. This eternal life is intrinsically linked to Christ, as believers are united with him, sharing in his resurrection both now and in the future ^{[10, 15]}. This union means believers experience God's glory and blessings ^[15].

Scripture emphasizes that this happiness stems from God's nature and actions. Baruch 4:22 expresses hope in the Eternal for salvation and joy from the Holy One due to mercy from the everlasting Savior ^[1]. The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians, attributes glory to God in the church through Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end ^[2]. The grace that brings this salvation is given to those who love the Lord Jesus Christ "undecayingly" ^[4].

The source of this happiness is multifaceted:

God's Grace and Mercy: Salvation is "only by God’s grace" ^[10]. It is not based on human actions or merits, but solely on God's mercy ^[11]. The reward of saints is "of grace, through faith alone" ^[6].
Union with Christ: Believers are "united with Christ Jesus" ^[15], sharing in his resurrection and new life ^[10]. This union allows them to share God's glory and blessings ^[15]. They are "created anew in Christ Jesus" ^[12], shedding their "old sinful nature" and putting on Christ's "new life" ^[14]. This new nature is God's Spirit expressing life within the believer, a transforming work that is part of the gift of salvation ^[16].
The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in bringing about this new life, signifying a complete departure from sin and death and a transfer into a realm of life and purity ^[11]. Hope itself is described as the work of the Holy Spirit ^[8].
Assurance and Hope: The "full assurance of faith" leaves no room for doubt, being a complete conviction of the truth of Scripture's declarations ^[3]. This assurance is produced by faith, made full by hope, and confirmed by love ^[7]. It is an effect of righteousness and is abundant in the understanding of the gospel ^[7]. Saints are privileged to have assurance of their election, redemption, adoption, salvation, and eternal life, as well as the unalienable love of God and union with God and Christ ^[7]. Hope is placed in God, in Christ, in God's promises, and in His mercy ^[8]. This hope is described as good, lively, sure, steadfast, gladdening, and blessed ^[8].
Divine Promises and Rewards: The reward of saints is prepared by God and Christ ^[6]. It is described as being with Christ, beholding the face of God, beholding the glory of Christ, and being glorified with Christ ^[6]. This reward is not on account of their merits ^[6].
Transformation and Good Works: While salvation is not caused by good works, good works are a result of salvation. God's Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life ^[12]. This transformation means believers are no longer strangers but fully accepted into God's family, becoming children of God ^[13].

The happiness of saints in this life is found in God, in the ways of wisdom, and is described by Christ in the beatitudes ^[9]. It is derived from the fear of God, trust in God, the words of Christ, obedience to God, salvation, hope in the Lord, and the mutual love of believers ^[9]. Even adversities can be a source of thanks, as all things, including distresses, become beneficial through Christ ^[17].

Sources

Baruch “Baruch 4:22 (DRC) — For my hope is in the Eternal that he will save you: and joy is come upon me from the Holy One, because of the mercy which shall come to you from our everlasting Saviour.”
Ephesians “Ephesians 3:21 (KJV) — Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
Ephesians “Ephesians 6:24 (YLT) — The grace with all those loving our Lord Jesus Christ--undecayingly! Amen.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Eternal life — This expression occurs in the Old Testament only in Dan. 12:2 (R.V., "everlasting life"). It occurs frequently in the New Testament (Matt. 7:14; 18:8, 9; Luke 10:28; comp. 18:18). It comprises the whole future of the redeemed (Luke 16:9), and is opposed to "eternal punishment" (Matt. 19:29; 25:46). It is the final reward and glory into which the children of God enter (1 Tim. 6:12, 19; Rom. 6:22; Gal. 6:8; 1 Tim. 1:16; Rom. 5:21); their Sabbath of rest (Heb. 4:9; comp. 12:22). The newness of life which the believer derives from Christ (Rom. 6:4) is the ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reward of Saints, The — Is from God -- Ro 2:7; Col 3:24; Heb 11:6. Is of grace, through faith alone -- Ro 4:4,5,16; 11:6. Is of God's good pleasure -- Mt 20:14,15; Lu 12:32. Prepared by God -- Heb 11:16. Prepared by Christ -- Joh 14:2. As servants of Christ -- Col 3:24. Not on account of their merits -- Ro 4:4,5. Described as Being with Christ. -- Joh 12:26; 14:3; Php 1:23; 1Th 4:17. Beholding the face of God. -- Ps 17:15; Mt 5:8; Re 22:4. Beholding the glory of Christ. -- Joh 17:24. Being glorified with Christ. -- Ro 8:17,18; Col 3:4; Php 3:21; 1Jo 3:2. Sitting in j”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Happiness of Saints In This Life — Is in God -- Ps 73:25,26. Only found in the ways of wisdom -- Pr 3:17,18. Described by Christ in the beatitudes -- Mt 5:3-12. Is derived from Fear of God. -- Ps 128:1,2; Pr 28:14. Trust in God. -- Pr 16:20; Php 4:6,7. The words of Christ. -- Joh 17:13. Obedience to God. -- Ps 40:8; Joh 13:17. Salvation. -- De 33:29; Isa 12:2,3. Hope in the Lord. -- Ps 146:5. Hope of glory. -- Ro 5:2. God being their Lord. -- Ps 144:15. God being their help. -- Ps 146:5. Praising God. -- Ps 135:3. Their mutual love. -- Ps 133:1. Divine chastening. --”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:19: 2:19 Gentiles who believe are no longer strangers and foreigners (2:11-12, 17). Through Christ, they are fully accepted into God’s family. They become children of God, just like believing Jews (see Rom 8:14-17).”
Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:9: 3:9-10 your old sinful nature . . . your new nature: Paul contrasts old and new identities (see also Rom 5:12-21; 6:6; Eph 4:22-24). Believers strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live.”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:20: thanks . . . for all things--even for adversities; also for blessings, unknown as well as known (Col 3:17; Th1 5:18). unto God and the Father--the Fountain of every blessing in Creation, Providence, Election, and Redemption. Lord Jesus Christ--by whom all things, even distresses, become ours (Rom 8:35, Rom 8:37; Co1 3:20-23).”

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