BIRTHDAY: To celebrate or Not To as a Christian?

A few days from today, yours truly would begin a new cycle of life, in anticipation of this auspicious occasion, he decided to tailor today's #Message_Of_The_Day to a related subject matter.

Growing up in the home of a Clergyman can be very daunting, choking, sometimes boring, if not outrightly suffocating. As a child, I was born into one of the most fundamental denomination ever, Deeper Christian Bible Church aka Deeper Life. I use the word "fundamental" for a specific reason, Pastor W.F Kumuyi (the General Overseer) didn't set out to establish a church initially, he was only interested in teaching the FUNDAMENTALS of Christianity which is hinged primarily and solely on revealed scriptures aka The Bible. He is someone you would call a Sola Scripturist, it's either the bible or nothing, and he started the ministry by hosting a Bible Study in Unilag Akoka Lagos where he was a mathematics lecturer and it blossomed into what is now known officially as Deeper Christian Life Ministry. Currently, I still attend virtually by connecting to services via YouTube or Satellite; I also listen to messages by Bible Theologian Dr. John MacArthur, Dr. James White and Pastor Charles Lawson. Why am I giving you this information? Read on!

Traditionally Deeper Lifers are known not to celebrate Birthdays, they used to dress in what would pass off as archaic attire, more often than not never celebrate Christmas (not because it is sin but because they are camping) and the most controversial one prohibition of female wearing trousers and jewelry. For today's subject, I'll dwell on BIRTHDAY. 

Now recall, while churches have traditions(which for the most part are not sin unless it contradicts the Bible), there are also decisions churches take based on what the founder or governing council thinks the Bible implies(sometimes the bible can be silent on issues so we need deductions based on other passages [the bible is capable of interpreting itself]). 

In the Bible from the first chapter to the end, we rarely see people celebrating birthdays, even the few times it appeared they weren't believers, notable mentions include Pharaoh (Genesis 40:20), and King Herod (Matthew 14:6; Mark 6:21), as we can deduce from the passages, the birthday itself wasn't an issue, what became issues were events that took place during the merriment ceremonies.
In Genesis 40:20,
20 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's BIRTHDAY, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. 22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. 
Pharoah eventually hanged the Chief Baker as a fulfillment of the interpretation of the dream revealed by Joseph a few days earlier to both the chief baker and butler.

Run with me to Mark 6:21
21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his BIRTHDAY made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;
25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. 26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he WOULD NOT reject her.

From both passages, we observe something interesting, the birthdays were never deemed a sin, instead, the events that followed became a cause for alarm. Bring it to the secular world, when birthday celebrations are held what follows? Drunkenness, lewdness, and carnality, it might surprise some people to know that MOST "rapes" happens on birthdays or at  birthday parties by people you know. You are not expecting rape to happen in a religious center, are you? It could happen but very rarely would it. Also, there are other associated negative trends that follow as a result of parties, mugging, assault and even in some circumstances death either by implicit, tacit or explicit carelessness and or ignorance.

Putting all these together, the bible has a neutral position on birthday celebrations, the secular world has mostly a negative aftermath, following it logically would seem to suggest that "no birthday party" is safer than hosting a birthday party. It is not a sin to get few friends or family to spend an important day but the aftermath which often spirals out of our control calls for a sober reflection and deep think on if it really matters to celebrate a birthday. 

Birthdays should be a day of immense stocktaking, profound accountability, sober reflection, calculated thoughts and controlled actions on what was, what is and what is to come (not necessarily the afterlife but the 'foreseeable' future). 

In conclusion, The Bible neither condemns nor blesses birthday celebrations, it neither prohibits nor commands it, instead, it advises us to do all things decently and in order (1Cor 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order), and MOST importantly do all things to the glory of God (1Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, DO ALL to the glory of God). If your birthday celebrations involve helping the needy, the poor, the sick, the downtrodden and the helpless; by all means go right ahead, but if it involves activities that brings the name of the Lord into disrepute then it becomes a sin and is dangerous therefore desist!

Next time if you see #DeeperLifers not celebrating birthdays now you are more than informed on WHY they PREFER not to do so(prevention is better than cure)! 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen!

General Overseer #You_Can_Run_But_Not_Hide Ministries_Worldwide
#Sunday_Sermon #Have_A_Great_Week_Ahead #Stay_Blessed
2016 ©GrandMaester™



N.B: Article was originally written Sunday 27 November 2016