Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. ~ Ecclesiastes 9:7
So many Jesus followers have given up their right to have a “good time”. I don’t know how many times I have heard that Christians are fuddy-duddies, and aren’t allowed to have fun. In fact, some non-believers may hold back becoming followers because they are afraid of giving up their fun lifestyle. Now don’t get me wrong, sometimes the “fun” this world likes to experience is wrapped up in shiny, pretty packages of sin that we should avoid, but God never said Christians can’t have fun, or enjoy themselves. We are just called to a cleaner, healthier, non-temptuous type of fun. Drunkenness, for example, is a sin; enjoying a glass of wine with a celebratory dinner is not and can be enjoyed by a believer. Sex outside the confines of marriage is a sin; sex within the confines of marriage can, and should be enjoyed. After all, who do you think invented it? The fact of the matter is that God approves, wants, and commands us to enjoy life, and the pleasures He has given us without sinning. To show the world that we can celebrate for all the goodness, and blessing God has bestowed on us. This is a good thing. Life is hard. We need to enjoy and celebrate the good times. The Creator of the universe wants us to experience joy, and pleasure. Our lives should not be documented by only trials and difficulties, but also triumphs and celebrations. God is the ultimate source of our joy, and the more we walk with the Holy Spirit we are told we will have more joy. Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Joy. To enjoy life and life’s pleasures, without sinning, puts a smile on God’s face. One day, when we are standing in His presence, we will understand the full meaning of joy, but until that time, enjoy God’s goodness in a pure way. ~ Amen
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