The happiness of the saints in this life is deeply rooted in their mutual love for one another, a love that is both commanded and exemplified throughout Scripture. This love is not merely an emotional affection but a profound, selfless commitment to the well-being of fellow believers, reflecting the love of Christ Himself.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides a clear mandate for mutual love among believers. Jesus Christ, in His teachings, emphasized the importance of love as the defining characteristic of His followers. In John 13:34-35 , Jesus commands, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." This commandment underscores the centrality of love in the Christian community, serving as a testament to their faith and a source of profound joy.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme in his epistles. In Romans 12:10 , he exhorts believers to "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another." This devotion and honor among the saints foster a community where happiness thrives, as each member seeks the good of the other above their own interests.

Mutual Love as a Source of Joy

The mutual love among the saints is a wellspring of joy and happiness, as it mirrors the love of God and fulfills the law of Christ. In 1 John 4:7-12 , the Apostle John writes, "Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God... If we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us." This passage highlights that love is both a divine gift and a reflection of God's presence within the community, bringing about a deep-seated joy that transcends circumstances.

Moreover, mutual love among believers is a source of encouragement and strength. In Hebrews 10:24-25 , the writer urges, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." The act of gathering and encouraging one another in love not only builds up the body of Christ but also instills a sense of happiness and fulfillment.

Practical Expressions of Mutual Love

The happiness derived from mutual love is not merely theoretical but is expressed in practical ways within the Christian community. Acts of service, hospitality, and generosity are tangible expressions of this love. In Galatians 6:2 , Paul instructs, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Bearing each other's burdens creates a supportive environment where joy and happiness can flourish.

Additionally, mutual love is expressed through forgiveness and reconciliation. In Ephesians 4:32 , believers are called to "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." This forgiveness fosters peace and unity, essential components of a joyful community.

Conclusion

The happiness of the saints in this life, derived from their mutual love, is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel. Through love, believers experience a foretaste of the eternal joy promised in the life to come, as they live out the command to love one another deeply and sincerely.Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Sheep and their Shepherd
... sheep hear my voice." How came the saints to be ... law; for the letter killeth, but
the Spirit giveth life. ... I feel bound publicly to express my happiness of heart ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the sheep and their shepherd.htm

Letter cxxx. (AD 412. )
... given by many in discussing wherein true happiness consists; but ... consolation even
to the end of this present life. ... who is the common enemy of all the saints. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxx a d 412.htm

Reply to the Arguments of the Adversaries.
... psalms teach us, which console us against the happiness of the ... [But the saints believed.]
Wherefore ... in all places writes and teaches that in this life there is ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 7 reply to the.htm

Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of ...
... belong to the next stage of Hilary's life, it will ... that the exiles from the West
had derived great support ... lately called an assembly of the Saints'"for the ...
/.../introduction chapter i the life and.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... in Christ, in whom he offers all happiness for our ... to accumulate the sins of his
whole life, that the ... But although the saints do not always in express terms ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

Letter Xl to Thomas, Prior of Beverley
... 18:4), without doubt righteousness is its life; for The ... to him some foretaste of
his own future happiness, as he ... peace to His people, and to His saints, and to ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xl to thomas prior.htm

Letter cxliv. From Augustine to Optatus.
... shall come and when the kingdom of the saints will be ... continue and form the source
of its happiness or woe. ... never without sin, not even when "its life has been ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxliv from augustine to.htm

The Commandments
... living and dead, who are called saints, are adored ... that "length of days" signifies
the happiness of eternal ... the slothfulness and weariness of their own life. ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part secondthe commandments.htm

V. ...
... but lust, and imagine they will have happiness and the ... For whoso loveth life and
would see prosperity, let ... who preach the legends of the saints,"that these ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter iii v .htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... for what he had expected, and called Athens an empty happiness. ... men should who have
lived such a life, and won ... was the doing of the God of Saints, Who worketh ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

Is there a difference between joy and happiness? | GotQuestions.org

Is the United States a Christian nation? | GotQuestions.org

What is a blessing according to the Bible? What does the Bible mean by bless? | GotQuestions.org

Happiness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus