The Pride of the Southland Band from the University of Tennessee plays “Rocky Top”, the unofficial fight song, gratuitously at all football games. The song is played so often that opposing coaches have been known to blast it over loudspeakers at practice the week before playing Tennessee. At every game you will hear it: After the extra point, Rocky Top, after a turnover, Rocky Top, after a big gain on offense, Rocky Top. When Rocky Top is played, Tennessee fans are happy. Regardless of which team you like in sports or even if you do not like sports, we can agree a cheerful song can change our attitude, mood, yes our entire disposition. When we sing we are reminded of why we have a reason to be happy. If you are a Christian, you know that there is plenty to be happy about. Let's examine a few of those reasons.
Jesus Saves
“We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!”
First, we sing because we are happy that Jesus saves. He came for that purpose to seek and save the lost (cf. Luke 19:10). What more of a reason to be happy because not only Jesus seeks, but He saves the lost. Paul wrote, “For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: for peradventure for the good man some one would even dare to die. But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8). Jesus came at the right time, with the right purpose, and He died for the ungodly. Why not sing songs proclaiming Jesus saves more often than Tennessee fans sing “Rocky Top?” The forgiveness of sins is the paramount reason to be happy.
God’s Family
“We’re part of the family that's been born again.”
Second, we sing because we are happy because we are part of the family of God. It is easy to find camaraderie in a team, a community, or even our biological families. A perk of being saved by Christ is that He added you to the family of God. We certainly can be happy as we sing and edify one another when we worship the Lord on the first day of the week. This is the day that God gathered His people together on (Acts 20:7). We have been assembled as a family to sing the praises of the one who joined us together as the church of Christ. Jesus reminds us of who His family is; if you are in Christ (cf.Galatians 3:26-27), it’s you. Jesus said, “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matthew 12:50). What a great reason to be part of the family saved and made possible by Jesus.
To Christ be True
“To Christ be loyal and true, For He will go with you.”
Third, we can sing and be happy because we are walking in truth. This is something that is made possible by the salvation we have in Christ, being part of the family of God, and together walking in truth. This is something in which we can rejoice. When someone obeys the Gospel, we are happy and we should sing. When someone is doing well because of putting God first in their life, business, finances, health, etc, we should sing and be happy. John said it like this, “Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou walkest in truth. Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” (3 John 2-4). What a joy we share in serving faithfully! Let’s sing and be happy.
Today remember why you can have hope and happiness, it’s Jesus. Remember, God loved you so much that He gave His Son for you (cf. John 3:16). When you hear voices as you raise yours remember that is your brother or sister. When you think about each other and the joy that comes from walking in truth, sing! James wrote, Is any among you suffering? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him sing praise” (James 5:13).
Grace and Peace,
R.D. Beavers
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