Art of Celebration - by James Newton

At our last band practice when we were learning Rend Collective’s “Boldly I Approach”, there was some great discussion about the lyrics and what some of the imagery in the song means. We were discussing the line “This is the art of celebration, knowing we’re free from condemnation”, and I remembered sharing some thoughts around this for a communion message a little while ago. (In fact, this song was the inspiration for my whole song list and communion message on that particular morning.)

It comes across as really the climax of the whole song – in fact, the song actually has the sub-title “The Art of Celebration” and it was released on Rend Collective’s album of the same name. So they must think it’s pretty special.

So, what do I think this song line means?

Perhaps it might be helpful to think about the song line the other way around… “Knowing we’re free from condemnation, this is the art of celebration”. Or, perhaps let’s ask the questions “What are we celebrating?’ and “Why is it an art?”.

Romans 8:1-2 says “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death”. This is what we are celebrating! If you know and trust Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, then there is no condemnation for the things you have done wrong. Why? Because when Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment that you and I deserve. Therefore, payment has been made and the debt cancelled. And when Jesus stands before God as our Advocate, He is not asking for mercy, He is claiming justice – that is, that Christ already paid the debt and it would be unjust for God to take two payments for the crime. Therefore, by grace we are set free and can boldly approach our heavenly Father – treading where angels fear to tread – knowing we are not condemned.

Amen! Let’s celebrate!

But wait. Sometimes, I don’t feel in the mood. Sometimes, the circumstances around me are distracting. Sometimes, even though I know God forgives me and doesn’t condemn me, I condemn me and I can’t forgive myself. This is why celebration is an art – like any art-form, it has to be learnt. Because, quite often we need to find joy and celebrate despite our feelings or circumstances or our own condemnation. I need to choose to worship God. Choose to pray. Choose to approach Him – trusting that even though I wouldn’t embrace me, His arms are open wide just longing for me to run to Him and find in Him everything that I need.

So where do we get that kind of joy?

As described in his spiritual auto-biography called “Surprised by Joy”, C. S. Lewis experienced surges of joy throughout his life. But, for a long time, he couldn’t quite pin-point what it was. Joy was always something that was just beyond the reach of whatever it was that triggered the feeling of joy. Lewis at last realised that joy wasn’t a thing that he could seek out or make happen, and that the more he tried, the faster it went away. He began to realise that joy is like any other emotion: If you consider the emotion itself, you stop considering the thing that produces the emotion, and so the emotion ceases. The emotion is the by-product of the experience of contemplation. But what was he contemplating to produce the feeling of joy? He found that it was no longer in the material things he had previously found it. Instead he realised that these things reminded him of something else that he couldn’t quite name. Lewis saw joy as a longing for something which the world can’t contain – but one that in itself is only a signpost pointing at the greater reality that is God.

Hebrews 12:13 says “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it’s shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart”. Think about what Jesus has done for you. Think about it some more. And when you’ve done that, think about what Jesus has done for you. Often when I focus on the cross, I start to cry. And it’s sad to think about Jesus being killed so horrifically. But, when we think about what that death achieved and the fact it ended in His victorious resurrection, those tears become tears of joy.

That joy and the peace that comes with it is one that surpasses all feelings, all circumstances and all understanding. And that gives us cause to celebrate. That is the art of celebration