Yes, it is possible. We will consider some scriptures which teach us HOW the Christian can experience true happiness, but before we do it is vital to see the difference between the Christian’s STANDING/POSITION before God and the Christian’s STATE/PRACTICE before the world. The moment one trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, he is in a POSITION before God that can never change. We read in 2^nd Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is IN CHRIST, he is a NEW CREATION; old things have passed away; behold, all things become new.” We could cite other verses which show us that God sees the believer as being “in Christ” (NKJV). That is our POSITION before God where we are looked upon in all the value of Christ; His Person and His finished work on the cross. Some have thought this verse describes the believer’s PRACTICE; that is, they believe all our “old habits and attitudes” are gone forever, but we shall see that the believer may still fall into his old habits of sin and still experience bad attitudes, including being UNHAPPY. This is possible because the believer still has a “sinful nature” that he was born with (see Psalm 51:5 and Romans 7:13-20). Yet the believer also has a new “sinless nature” that was given to him the moment he became a child of God (2^nd Peter 1:2-4 and 1^st John 3:9). Our PRACTICAL STATE (of living a victorious life of not practicing sin and being happy) will be dependent on our allowing the Spirit of God (Who indwells the believer…Romans 8:1-11) to keep us in communion with God our Father and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 5:17-20; and 2^nd Corinthians 3:18). Here are some verses which specifically teach us how to experience true HAPPINESS (i.e., JOY).

1) 1^st John 1:1-4: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly OUR FELLOWSHIP IS WITH THE FATHER AND WITH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST. And these things we write to you that YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL.”

2) John 15:9-11: “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; ABIDE IN MY LOVE. If you KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in your, and that YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL.”

3) John 16:24: “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. ASK, and you will receive, that YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL.”

We see in these three references that for the Christian to have true JOY/HAPPINESS, he must 1) remain in FELLOWSHIP with the Father and the Son; 2) ABIDE in Christ’s love by keeping His commandments; and 3) PRAY to the Father in Christ’s name. Fellowship, obedience and prayer are vital if we are to be HAPPY!

I would like to add two more. In 2^nd John 12 the Apostle John told his fellow believers, “I hope to come to you and SPEEK FACE TO FACE, that YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL.” In John 13:14-17 Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have WASHED YOUR FEET, ye also ought to WASH ONE ANOTHER’S FEET. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, HAPPY ARE YE IF YOU DO THEM.” We learn here that to be filled with JOY/HAPPINESS, we must also have 1) FELLOWSHIP with other believers, and 2) SERVE other believers.  (DO)  (547.3)