We Have No 'Right To Happiness'

This writing focused on society’s tendency to allow sexual indiscretion to be acceptable because, as Clare says, everyone has a “right to happiness.” But Lewis points out the ways in which this “right to happiness” idea is flawed. He says that the only situation in which we permit people to completely follow their instincts is in the sexual realm. He additionally points out that by allowing this in our society, we are setting ourselves up for two things: the harming of women and the decline of our society. In his words, “The fatal principle, once allowed in that department, must sooner or later seep through our whole lives,” and if we continue this way, “our civilization will have died at heart.”  I think Lewis has once again introduced compelling truths about a topic I have not thought much about, but which deverses our attention as Christians. We need to be aware of these issues and fight against them. Every essay we have read so far has opened my eyes about these new things in a way I can understand.

On a different note:

“When everything is said and done, what do we have but God?”


This line is taken from a song my mother wrote called "I Need Such Faith," which she based off of Habakkuk 3:17-18. I was reminded of it because of the closing comments of our discussion on Friday. I think we should pursue joy that comes from the Lord instead of "happiness," which the temporary product of earthly satisfactions. In regards to the verse, we think we can find earthly happiness from a budding fig tree, a grape-filled vine, fruitful fields, and plentiful livestock. In other words, we believe material wealth and success will lead us to happiness. But I think Habakkuk's point is that we do not need this happiness because it cannot compare to being "joyful in God my Savior."  When we realize the insignificance of these things in the overall plan of God for our individual lives and for the universe, I think this question sums up an appropriate conclusion: When everything is said and done, what do we have but God? The answer is nothing. Not only do we have nothing, but we ARE nothing without God. I think this relates to what we talked about on Friday in terms of "We Have No 'Right to Happiness,'" because we do not have any right to happiness because of our total depravity, our inherent status as sinners. For the same reason, we do not deserve God's perfect love. But by God's grace, we receive this love, and as a result we can experience joy on earth, hints of His glorious Kingdom.