Ms. Hong Ye's views expressed in her article: "Happiness Depends on Personal Efforts" are to be affirmed concerning hard work and perseverance in the face of extreme difficulties and hardships. She cited the examples of writers that she knew well, e.g. Mr. Wang Meng and Ms. Cao Min. Yes, they are to be admired and respected. However, what she wrote in the article also revealed her limited knowledge of the Bible, and her lack of understanding of the true meaning of the "grace of God". I would like, humbly and respectfully, to respond to her questions and address her perplexity.

First, Ms. Hong Ye cited Matthew 6: 25-26 and concluded that it was stated in the Bible that men should not have to sow or reap, just like the birds of the air. This interpretation of the passage is simply incorrect. Let me give three points of explanation:

1. Actually, the conclusion of the passage is in verse 33: "You should seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and these things will be added unto you." Jesus was advising his disciples to set the right priorities in life, and not telling them not to sow or reap.

2. Jesus pointed out that there were three levels of need in a person - of the soul, of the body and something extra. Of the soul - spiritual and intellectual needs; of the body - the basic physical and material needs to maintain life; the extra - choices of materials and fulfilling of personal desires. In verse 25, Jesus pointed out that the needs of the soul should precede the needs of the body, and the needs of the body should precede the needs of the extra desires in the material.

3. It states in the Bible that men should work, as it is his duty to work. e.g. Matthew 24:45-46, 25:14-30; Galatians 6:7-9; Ephesians 6:5-7. Paul, in II Thessalonians 3:10, warned that Christians should not eat if they do not work.

For the above three reasons, we know that if anyone thinks that Christians, "by the grace of God", do not sow or reap, he has completely misunderstood the Bible.

Ms. Hong Ye emphasized repeatedly that happiness depends on personal efforts and struggles to attain, though she did acknowledge that career success does not equal personal happiness. Then, just what is happiness?

Happiness, actually, carries certain degrees of subjectivity. If you ask people of diverse backgrounds what happiness is to them, you will get different responses. Happiness, I think, should mean a deep sense of peace and fulfillment in our soul (inner being). If one does not have peace and a sense of fulfillment, I am afraid one is not happy despite career success. I have seen so many Chinese in America who were very successful and accomplished, yet because of marital problems, rebellious children, giving in to the lure of money and sex, they sank into great distress and unhappiness.

Christians enjoy the presence of God in their lives, because they believe and trust God. They have a sense of security and peace, even in the midst of troubles. When Christians say that everything comes from the grace of God, they do not mean to deny the importance of personal efforts, but to acknowledge that God is the master of everything. With this belief, even in the midst of great adversity, Christians experience the loving care of God and continue to enjoy a sense of happiness.

Does everything come from the grace of God? Is this saying scientific? Is it reasonable? If God exists, then He has to be the source and basis for everything. It says in the Bible that we live, breathe, and have our being in God. We can think because God causes us to think; we have energy because energy comes from God. God is the giver of talent, intelligence, and inspiration. God is the source of the energy and talent which we use to make contributions to society and mankind, even though some of us do not know and acknowledge Him.

Let me tell you the story of the Chinese American tennis champion Michael Chang. Michael is only 5'8" tall and weighs about 150 lbs. When he first entered professional tennis, experts thought he was too small to be a strong contender. However, Michael trained extremely hard and persevered, finally winning the championship in the French Open in 1989. Today, he ranks 2nd in the world of professional tennis. After he won the French Open, he said: "I give thanks to Jesus Christ for everything. Everything that happened in my life was because of Him." There is also Dr. Hsu Han Guang who won an award as an Outstanding Physician from the American Tuberculosis Academy and was known as "God's Soldier for Combating Tubercuclosis".

When she received the award, she said: "I have to admit what I have accomplished was not by my power, but God's power revealed itself in a small woman." And, there is also Professor Liu Dun who is the chairman of Corrective Surgery of the Ophthalmology Research Center, University of Southern California, and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He not only teaches and practices medicine, but also devotes time and energy to promote the welfare and status of the Chinese in American society. He said during an interview: "The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. With this understanding, one can maintain a humble and thankful attitude in good times as well as bad times."

So, you see, depending on the grace of God is not in conflict with personal efforts. Christians, knowing that everything comes from God, maintain an attitude of humility and expectation, trusting in God in everything they do. Someone who truly knows God will not let himself be lazy and not sow or reap, but will give his all in whatever he does.

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