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by Michael L. Faber (Author)
In the Gospels, Jesus spends a lot more time telling us how to live happily as Kingdom people than He does trying to convince us to join up as new believers. This book, titled, Keys to a Happy Life: The Beatitudes According to Jesus delves into the teachings of Jesus on what it takes to be happy. When we are saved, we are saved into eternal life, and that life begins today; not after we die. As Kingdom people, we have been saved into a walk with Christ, and into a lifestyle that is compelling, powerful, and different than the world around us. The Beatitudes are a beautiful and poetic introduction to the Sermon on the Mount. Some have felt they paint a picture of perfection that we can never achieve. Others have said that they were meant to confound us so that we would know we need grace. Still others have felt they are the essence of the gospel and a road map of how we can work our way to salvation. I believe that they are simply a picture of the characteristics and attributes of people who are already saved. The Beatitudes show us the fruit of salvation, not the roadmap to it. Elsewhere, scripture is clear that we are saved by God's grace, through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. That said, Jesus said "You will know them by their fruit." People who are saved will bear good fruit. To be truly happy in this life, we must be true to that inner Spirit of Christ which we received at the moment of our salvation. Jesus shows us in His Beatitudes and in His other teachings, what we must do to live truly happy and fruitful lives. Often, the path Jesus paints to happiness and fulfillment is contrary to the way our flesh and natural mind want to lead us. The path of Jesus does not go straight from point A to point B, but often takes surprising and unexpected turns!
