By Usman Raza
Most people celebrate the day they were born, known as a birthday. We all know this is a special day for everyone. I am not against celebrating birthdays. There is nothing wrong with being happy on this day.
As ministers of Jesus Christ, we must introduce the Bible to congregations and churches and in our families and day-to-day lives. Although the lives of people of God didn’t celebrate birthdays in the Old Testament, we can see Egyptian pharaohs were found to be celebrating these birthday parties. In the lives of Jesus and disciples, there weren’t these worldly birthday celebrations.
The Lord has put a new word into hearts, and this is an opinion and not the commandment or doctrine on birthdays. The holy celebration is the right kind of word all Christians should use throughout their lives. Because our God is holy and we must use holy words, and stay holy all the time wherever we go and whatever we do, we must do it for the glory of our Lord Jesus.
The following verse is not purely about birthdays but this is how a birthday celebration should be enjoyed in the presence of the Lord. We must call everyone believers in our family and especially the real family- the Church (the Family of God the Father). We know the Lord wants to see us happy and sinless, this is what He says in Joel 1:14
Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord.
The day before yesterday, we celebrated the Holy Celebration in our home-based Church in Lahore for Athiya Usman. She is now two years old. This was not a normal birthday celebration because there was the presence of the Lord in this Holy celebration. There was the presence of the Word of God. There was the presence of the Holy Spirit. There was the presence of the body of Christ.
As true born-again Christians, we must celebrate these birthday events with our church fellows and brothers and sisters in Christ. Because these will be our eternal family, and we must learn to celebrate everything in Holy and with a disciplined way. No drinking, no dancing, no gossip or backbiting, and no DJ music. Instead, have to worship and Gospel music and enjoy the time with Lord Jesus! This is a new trend we want to introduce into all true and living churches. They all should have a Holy Celebration instead of a birthday celebration. If you want to learn more about how to stay Holy and blessed go to this YouTube channel, and you will find outstanding bible studies videos. Click on the link here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg0vqaldEAN0zEgWnSmeOCg
