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| Let's Party!!
Contrary to the opinion of some, our God loves fun! In eternity past
the three Persons of the Trinity all enjoyed intimacy with each other.
It was a private party among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There,
before the foundation of time, God determined to host a huge party. He
would create man for the purpose of sharing His life with him, thus
bringing him into the eternal party taking place in heaven. The Holy
Spirit has been sent to extend the invitation to the party to us today.
Christianity is nothing less than a party celebrating Jesus Christ and
we've all been invited to participate by dancing to the music of His
grace.
There is no bigger party pooper than legalism. It causes
people to relate to others with a condescending attitude, judging them
by the standard of their own lives. A legalist's performance may look
good, but inwardly he is wasting away because his rules-driven lifestyle
has robbed him of authentic joy in the Christian life. He has no time
for music and dancing; there’s work to be done! The devil never takes a
break, why should he? A legalist is never a genuinely happy person.
When he sees others dance to the music, he can’t stand it.
The
older brother of "the prodigal" bore the chief characteristics of a
legalist. First, he separated himself from his brother because the
younger brother didn’t live up to the standards embraced by himself. He
refused to be involved in the same party as his brother, but resolved
to "come out from among them and be separate.” Second, his whole
relationship to his father revolved around doing the right thing and not
breaking his commandments. He said, "For so many years I have been
serving you, and I never neglected a command of yours...” (Luke 15:29).
He knew no intimacy with his father because his whole focus was on
behavior. Finally, he resented the grace which his father showed to the
prodigal. He pointed out his own faithfulness and said, "but when this
son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with harlots, you
killed the fatted calf for him.” Legalists sometimes find it hard to
even call one a brother who doesn’t conform to their own standards. The
elder son called him "this son of yours.” He probably believed it
would be liberal to unconditionally accept a sinning Christian. After
all, he might think you are condoning his behavior!
The heart of
the prodigal’s father seems to parallel that of our Heavenly Father. He
loves a party! Faith and fun are not in opposition to one another.
Even under the old covenant, God made provision for the people to
celebrate.
"And you shall eat in the presence of the Lord your
God at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of
all your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the first-born of your herd
and your flock, in order that you may learn to fear the Lord your God
always. And you may spend the money for whatever your heart desires, for
oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart
desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God
and rejoice, you and your household" (Deuteronomy 14:23, 26).
The
father of the prodigal said, "But we had to be merry and rejoice, for
this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live . . .” (Luke
15:32). When a dead person comes alive to his inclusion in the finished
work of Jesus Christ, that’s a reason to throw a party!
The activity of the early church revolved around fellowship. The Greek word is koinonia.
It wouldn’t be inappropriate to use the word "party" as a contemporary
paraphrase of the word. Many contemporary parties celebrate life. A
birthday party celebrates the years one has lived. Anniversary parties
celebrate a couple’s life together. A graduation party celebrates the
start of a new life for the graduate. Parties are focused on and full
of life.
Doesn’t that description describe New Testament
Christianity? It’s essence is a celebration of divine life. You are
alive in Christ! It’s appropriate to "shout joyfully to the Lord” and
to "serve the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:1-2). In other words, it’s
time to rise up and have a party! Since we are immersed in Eternal
Grace, celebration is the order of the day.
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