The Sin of Being Too Serious
“The Christians that I know have to be among the unhappiest of people in the world!”
Think about the prune-faced, Puritan stereotype– severe, unloving, killjoys. And if you call to mind a Fundamentalist of the twentieth century, the picture is a preacher pounding a pulpit, dripping with sweat, shouting out fierce words to the faithful. Or worse — someone using a megaphone on a street corner.
How did we become so serious? Does this hardened spirit reflect Jesus? I think not.
Whatever else we might say about Jesus, he is completely at peace and full of joy. Jesus our risen Lord is not sullen or bitter about life. John Piper’s explains this idea beautifully in Desiring God (Multnomah, 2nd Edition, 1996):
Can you imagine what it would be like if the God who ruled the world were not happy? What if God were given to grumbling and pouting and depression like some Jack-and-the-beanstalk giant in the sky? What if God were frustrated and despondent and gloomy and dismal and discontented and dejected? Could we with David say, “Oh God, thou art my God, I seek thee; my soul thirsts for thee; my flesh faints for thee, as in a dry and weary land where no water is” (Psalm 63:1)?
I don’t think so. We would all relate to God like little children who have a frustrated, gloomy, dismal, and discontented father. They can’t enjoy him. They can only try not to bother him, and maybe try to work for him to earn some little favor (John Piper, 34).
Years ago when I was studying the gospels, I noticed that Jesus majored in defying the stereotypes of the religious establishment. Instead of settling for quiet dinner conversation with spiritual leaders, Jesus parties with people like Levi. Instead of fasting, he took up feasting.
I think that if Jesus came in the flesh to dwell among us today, he would continue the same practice. His laughter would surprise, his attendance at parties would shock; his closest friends and greatest followers would be drawn from the edges of society.
WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?) Whatever he did, it would be filled with the joy of the Lord. And if his track record is any indication of his choices, Jesus would be sociable and in the middle of a party.
So as you celebrate and spend time others this weekend (be it at a party or not), remember the one who was not too serious. Remember Jesus.




