The American dream is contrary to the truth of the Bible.
"The American Dream is the idea that the government should protect each person's opportunity to pursue their idea of happiness." (https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-the-american-dream-quotes-and-history-3306009).
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." (Declaration of Independence).
American culture defines "liberty" as "the freedom to be self-directed and autonomous, to do what I want with no one telling me I shouldn't" (unless of course, someone else's liberty infringes on mine, in which case mine should win).
It defines "pursuit of happiness" as a goal which can be attained by economic prosperity. Having enough money will let me "pursue my dreams" which will bring me happiness. Happiness also comes by the liberty to do whatever I want without having negative consequences for it.
But what does Scripture describe as the truth, and as the reality of living in a fallen world?
1. You are not ever free to do as you like with no consequences. You are either a slave to sin or a slave to God.
2. God made you, and as Creator he has the complete right to tell you what to do. You do not have the "liberty" to be self-directed and autonomous from God. By nature, you are under his jurisdiction, irrevocably.
3. True joy is only found "at God's right hand," and the love of money leads to being "pierced through with many sorrows."
4. In this life, and in this body, we "groan". All creation groans under the curse, and that includes every individual life. One should never expect to reach a point at which they will achieve a life without groaning in this age.
5. True "life" is only found in Jesus, who is "the way, the truth, and the life." He is the bread from Heaven and the living water. Only in him will a person ever find satisfaction for the soul.
Especially for the Christian, we can expect life to be difficult and full of sorrows:
2 Corinthians 4:6-10
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 5:2-4
For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
Yet even with this in mind, Paul goes on to say:
2 Corinthians 5:6-8
So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Knowing the groaning of this age does not mean we should be constantly depressed. No - he says, "so we are always of good courage". Why? Not because life got better. But because our better life is promised to us after death. The prospect of being with the Lord is to give us "good courage" as we walk in a life of daily groaning.
And then, what is to be the result of this hope that we have?
2 Corinthians 5:9-11
So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.
We are to make it our aim, to please Christ.
This is contrary to the American dream, which has as its aim, "liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Pleasing Christ will actually bring us true life, liberty, and happiness; but we can only gain those things by pursuing HIM, not by pursuing those things themselves.
And Paul, knowing that Judgement Day is coming, also makes it his aim to "persuade others" - to preach of sin, and judgement, and salvation, so that those around us who are pursuing all the fading pleasures of this life will be wakened to see the judgement to come and the Savior who is their only hope.
What is to be the Christian's purpose for living?
2 Corinthians 5:15
[Christ] died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
To live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
To live for Christ -- not for the American dream of pursuing liberty and happiness.
To sign up for the marine corp led by Christ, committing oneself to be "all in", with life revolving around the General's commands, and with everything else subservient to that.
So if one does this, what will his life in this world look like?
It will look like suffering servants of God, just like Jesus was:
2 Corinthians 6:3-10
We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
No wonder Paul says this:
1 Corinthians 15:19
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Why then is it worth living in the Christian marine corp?
Why is it worth looking like someone who is "most to be pitied"?
1 Corinthians 15:17, 20a
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. … But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead.
In other words: in Christ, you are no longer in your sins; your faith is not futile. Your salvation is real, your reconciliation with God is accomplished, and your life in eternity will be full of joy and glory and satisfaction.
Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Jesus is the treasure in the field; he who embraces Christ as such is willing to pay whatever it costs to gain Him.
Mark 8:36-37
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?
The Christian has to live by faith in these things. If he lives by sight, he will see all the things "most to be pitied". He will see the dying, the punishment, the sorrow, and the poverty that can be the lot of Christ's followers, without being able to see by faith, the life, the rejoicing, and the riches that are ours in Christ -- and that are promised in greater fullness after we finish this race of faith.
Christian -- be encouraged!
Not because some prosperity preacher promises "your best life now."
But because, though we groan daily in this life now, we are promised the truest and best life to come, with Christ forever!
Revelation 21:3-5
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
Revelation 22:3-7a
No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. … And behold, I am coming soon."
