We don't often associate the church with celebration these days, although the concept is constant in scripture. In Old Testament times, every Sabbath was seen as a celebration of the Lord. Not to mention the Torah outlines numerous other celebrations. At one time, The New Testament church was no different. The liturgical calendar is filled with many holy days to celebrate, but at some point, we started to downplay everything but Christmas and Easter. Not only that, certain factions of the church started to disallow specific means of celebration like music and dancing. The question is why, when scripture doesn't support it at all. Much like my post on passion, we make no effort to distinguish worldly celebration, from the celebration of the Lord. Yet, our fears of shallow self-serving celebration have led the church to dismiss most celebration, even if it means extracting the good news out of the gospel.
With that being said, let me pose a question to you. Do your words and actions celebrate the good news of the gospel? Or do you only express your anger, and frustrations for those who celebrate only self? My point being, until we start to celebrate the full scope of holiness, we can't celebrate the full scope of the gospel. Until we start celebrating the full glory of the gospel, instead of just one dimension of it, we won't be able to delight and inspire the lost to seek wholeness in Christ instead of covering up our brokenness with reckless self-indulgence.
Perhaps that is part of the reason many only go to church on Christmas and Easter. They are the only days that seemingly offer the hope of the gospel anymore. A world that lacks wholeness, needs something constructive to redirect their hope too. They can't see it when it's hidden behind this wall of righteousness we are throwing in their faces. All they can see is guilt, shame, and condemnation.
Do you see The Gospel of Jesus Christ as something to celebrate? Do you want to invite as many as possible to that celebration? (Matthew 22:1-14) Or do you see the gospel as a joyless chore? Following only the single dimension of holiness that is righteousness will indeed seem like a chore, with nothing to celebrate. A strong indicator that you have left something vital out of your faith. I assure you, a fully dimensional faith is something to celebrate.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30
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