Lately, I’ve found organized church music to be more stressful than joyful. It’s time for me to take a step back and remember what it is about music that makes me love it so much. Music is a gift from the Lord. He knew we would need a way to express our appreciation for all He’s given us. He encourages us to worship through it.
Psalms 95:1
O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
He’s also called us to be separate.
2 Corinthians 6:17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
Should our music be separate too? It’s a question that church folk have struggled with for generations. Some want to incorporate modern rock and roll and hip hop music into worship. Others want to remain traditional. Some remind us that traditional music was once contemporary music. So, how do we know what to do? If we are too legalistic, we could be a stumbling block to someone’s salvation. After all, Christ came to fulfil the law. Paul points out that all things are lawful.
Matthew 5:17-18
17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.1 Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.1 Corinthians 10:23
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Yet, we must follow our convictions. We must remember that even if it’s lawful, it may not be edifying. It may bring us under it’s power. Satan is the great imitator. He takes what belongs to God and corrupts it for his own benefit. Have you noticed how many modern Christian songs don’t even mention Jesus Christ? I have. So, if we, personally, believe that the Holy Spirit is guiding us away from modern Christian music, than we should follow the Lord’s leading.
We shouldn’t, however, berate new believers for listening to music. Instead we should share the Word with them and encourage them to grow in the Lord. For them to come to Him, just as they are.
I taped this on my webcam when I started learning how to play keyboard. Not my best, but it fits the post.
Please share your thoughts on worship music in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.
(All verse references are taken from the Authorized Version of the Bible, commonly referred to as the King James Version.)
We have this same struggle at our church. We actually had a member of our church say that what the elders want is obsolete because theywill all be gone within ten years anyway. We have decided though to have a youth service on Saturdays to incorporate some modern worship components.