My Singing is Not Worship

My Singing Is Not Worship

Christians readily identify with assembling on the first day of the week to worship their God and remember their Savior.  Additionally, familiarity exists for Christians partaking of the Lord’s Supper, giving, praying, hearing preaching, and singing each Sunday.  Few Christians would reject the notion that these practices represent the worship of faithful followers of Christ from today all the way back to the first century with the establishment of the Church.  Throughout the centuries, Christians strove to obey the commands of God regarding worship.  Sadly, the Church also saw its fair share of false teachers, skewed doctrine, and rebellious members over the years. Yet it was not until the 1800’s that wide spread abuses began to assault Christian worship practices.  Today, even churches considered the most “conservative” find themselves letting unauthorized worship practices into their assemblies.  The name on a building’s sign, perhaps once trusted, cannot be trusted any longer to represent proper worship practices inside.  Though it may be argued otherwise, it seems the worship activity of singing stands most abused.  What did God authorize for the Churches in regard to singing in its assemblies?  What specific type of music can be utilized in relation to God?  Do these standards only apply to the first day of the week assembly or do they apply any time music normally associated with God is sung?  For instance, what about V.B.S., WinterFest, L.T.C., Bible camp, youth devotions, “Christian” music on the car radio, at home on the piano, or just anywhere?  What does God expect when it comes to singing and what about those who say “My singing is not worship unless I intend it to be, so I can do whatever I want with songs normally associated with God.”  Elderships, congregations, and individual Christians should be answering these questions with the full authority of scripture before potentially risking their souls and the souls of others with an improper course of action.

What, When, and Where Worship?

A moment should be taken to clearly identify what “worship” means.  Worship displays itself in the honor, reverence, or respect given to a specific target.  Historically, man chose to direct worship toward all sort of animate and inanimate objects, real and imagined, in addition to or excluding Jehovah, the one and only God of all that exists (Isaiah 44).  The Bible provides guidelines for proper worship in John 4:24 stating: “God is Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  Summarily, this verse establishes: a defined target for properly worshiping God (God Himself), an intent to worship Him (spirit), and a pattern of worshiping Him (truth – found in His Word – John 17:17).  Thus, the concept of no worship unless there is intent seems to hold firm.  However, this does not provide a clear framework or answer for determining how singing songs associated with God should be treated whether in or out of worship.  It also does not determine whether or not such songs have authorization to be separated from worship (reverence to God).  Before moving away from a look at worship, one other aspect must be examined.  When does worship occur?  Is the act of purposely showing reverence to God, as He has prescribed, limited to a specific time or location?  Consider prayer in this query.  Prayer for the Christian aims itself at a very specific target – God! (Matthew 6:6-13)  Scripture is very specific about how we approach God.  God must be treated as Holy (I Peter 1:16 – “Be Ye Holy; for I am Holy.)  Seeing a target, an intent, and a pattern for prayer, when and where does it occur?  Paul answers this question in I Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing”.  Worshiping God can occur at anytime and anywhere and this is born out in the practice of prayer (Mat. 26:36, Mk. 1:35, Lk. 5:16, Lk. 18:10, Acts 4:31, Acts 10:30, Acts 16:25…).  Worship is not limited to a specific location or a specific time.

What is the Standard of Authority for Examining Singing?

Turn now your attention to the issue of singing songs associated with God and to the objective of singing without intent to worship.  The analysis of singing will be done with the authority of God’s eternal principles and that of the Law of Christ as seen in the New Testament.  Practices recorded in the Old Testament, which occurred with and without authority under the Law of Moses, will not be considered as that law was nailed to the cross and never had authority (nor was intended to have) over Christians and the Church of our Lord (Jeremiah 31:31, Hebrews 8:10-13, Colossians 2:13-14).

What Do Christians Sing?

Christian songs as seen in the New Testament take three forms: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16).  Psalms are odes to God as seen in the book of Psalms and a few other books.  Hymns are songs from the mind of man with themes made to praise God or educate man about God.  Indeed, many psalms could be classified as hymns as well.  Hymns also include all songs created today which are associated with God.  Examples would include:  “Jesus Loves Me”, “I’ll Fly Away”, “Sing to Me of Heaven”, “The B.I.B.L.E”, “Hilltops of Glory”, “Alleluia”, “Love One Another”, “My God is an Awesome God”, and others.  Men often find the third type of songs, spiritual songs, confusing.  Some think of these as deep soul songs, however, Greek definitions provides a very telling understanding.  Research the word “spiritual” (pneumatikos) and the following words will be found: “belonging to the Divine Spirit”, “non-carnal”, and “supernatural”.  In fact, a search for this same word in scripture will demonstrate that it is used exclusively for things not of man, but of God.  What does this mean to us?  Consider that spiritual songs were those given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the first century and not coming from the mind of man.  These were part of the gifts as mentioned in I Corinthians 14.  These were needed along with spiritual teaching and spiritual prayer in the newborn Church because folks did not know these things on their own, nor did they have scriptures to guide them as we do today.  Of course, with the complete revelation of scripture, its confirmation, and its spread throughout the world, gifts ceased as foretold in I Corinthians 13 and Ephesians 4.  Thus, today the Christians sing psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs having ceased.

What is the Purpose of Christian Singing?

In I Corinthians 1:18-21, it is established that the communication by proclamation of the cross (gospel) is what saves.  That proclamation includes verbal and non-verbal communication.  Biblical authority by way of command, example, and necessary inference supports this in at least the following forms: Preaching, teaching, singing, writing, illustration, and sign language.  Recall that all scripture is from God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Thus, the Ephesians and Colossians passages mentioned previously are God providing man information through the Holy Spirit and spoken and written by man exactly as given.  The context of Ephesians and Colossians lays out what God wants from man.  God gives a command through general authority which summarily says “teach and admonish one another through speech and song, and sing and make melody in your hearts to God.”  There are eleven verses which speak of singing in the New Testament (Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26, Act 16:25, Romans 15:8-9, 1 Corinthians 14:15, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 2:10-12, James 5:13, Revelation 5:8-9, Revelation 14:2-3).  In all of these verses, it is clear singing is done with God being targeted.  Of the 11 verses mentioned, five are specific to New Testament Christian usage (Acts 16, I Cor14, Eph. 5, Col. 3, and James 5).  All of these pertain to Christians communicating in song serving the purpose of edification (building up) of others and self – communication which saves.  In a broad focus it can be said the singing of psalms and hymns by Christians in the Bible served one of two purposes: 1. Worship, 2. Edification.

What are the Guidelines for Singing Psalms and Hymns?

Time: Of great importance to the Christian singing psalms and hymns: when are they authorized sing these songs associated with God?  None of the verses demonstrating or directing Christian singing limit singing to a singular time frame.  The guidelines we gather from the five New Testament passages regarding singing by Christians apply at all times.  Christians can sing when they assemble, when they are alone, in their car, in their home, day or night, and in any location.  Paul and Silas sang at midnight in a prison!

Edification: Romans 14:14-19 states the following:

“I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.  For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men. So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another.” 

Paul speaks here regarding the issue of eating foods once considered unclean.  It violated the conscience of some to eat that food.  Paul’s conclusion is rather than to destroy someone’s faith, they should only engage in what edifies (builds up).  The application is the same with singing, edification is a guideline that must be followed.  God commands we sing psalms and hymns, but, however it is done, it must be done in a manner which builds up those present.  If there is a concern by another that the manner in which you are engaging in singing is sinful, then you certainly are not edifying and must stop.  Paul would go on to classify such actions as stumbling blocks.

Expedience: I Corinthians 10:23-24 carries the same theme as the above verse in that it requires that Christian actions edify.  But it also requires that they be expedient.  Expedient may be translated “profitable” in your Bible text.  This means, there must be an authorized profit or help from our actions.  If somehow the atmosphere or actions engaged in by Christians surrounding singing are not expedient, then they are also not acceptable.

Understanding: I Corinthians 14:15 establishes that singing must be done with understanding.  That is, the words shared must be communication which will be able to be understood by the hearer either by first hand listening or interpretation. Everyone knows what singing is.  Singing comes from the vocal chords.  A guitar cannot sing.  A piano cannot sing.  A harmonica cannot sing.  In fact, no electronic or mechanical instrument can sing.  What they do is respond to human input and play desired sounds.  Playing is not singing.  It is an addition to singing.  Additionally, clapping is not singing.  It is the use of percussion similar to a drum.  Christians are never asked by God to play, they are asked to communicate the salvation of God through singing psalms and hymns as seen in the verses mentioned.  This is what Christians have authority to do – sing.  Thus, this is a very important guideline for the communication of psalms and hymns.  Edifying, expedient psalms and hymns may be sung at anytime, but there is no authorization for adding the unintelligible playing of instruments or clash of clapping with them.  This would include at a V.B.S., WinterFest, on the radio, in the car, at your piano in your home, or anywhere else.  Such action is sin and requires repentance.

Bluntly, there are no commands, examples, or necessary inference for worldly usage of psalms and hymns by Christians of the first century in scripture (and therefore no Biblical authority for such usage).  Since, scripture provides all we need for life and Godliness (2 Pet. 1:2-3), if psalms and hymns were allowed for worldly usage it would be established in the Bible.

Does Intent Matter?

Perhaps you have heard, “Outside of Sunday morning assembly, I have no intent to worship when singing psalms and hymns!  I can add what I want to the songs.” or “We aren’t worshipping, we are celebrating!”  Folks who want to add clapping and playing and other innovations to their singing frequently say things like this.  The nature and creation of psalms and hymns is that they are to be directed toward God at all times and are meant to edify Christians as well.  They are set apart for God and directed by God for Christian usage and are thus holy.  Now, someone might ask what the difference is between “psalms and hymns” and “Unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine”.  God created food for man to eat.  Sometimes God has declared the food have additional purposes, such as the Lord’s Supper.  Psalms and hymns were created for offering to God and edification.  They have no other purpose that one which is holy.  Utilizing them for enjoyment, entertainment, celebration for man, and other reasons is to treat what is holy, profanely.  Treating Holy things in a profane manner is sinful.

When God makes something holy, it is not to be profaned.   Consider the following:

  • Moses was told to remove his shoes when he approached holy Ground. (Exodus 3:5).
  • Mount Sinai was Holy when God descended down upon it.  If the people or any beast came into contact with it, profaning it, they were to be put to death.  (Exodus 19:12-13)
  • Nadab and Abihu did not treat the Lord in a sanctified “holy” manner when approaching him.  By not doing what he specifically said, they treated Him profanely.  (Leviticus 10:1-3).
  • Korah and reputable princes of the people rebelled against Moses saying they were Holy before God.  They were commanded to go before the Lord with the censors of God and see what God would do.  God swallowed up their families in the ground and consumed them with fire.  Then God commanded their censors be picked up because those were Holy.  Those men were profane.  (Numbers 16:1-37)
  • Christian communication is to be Holy, not profane by following after Old wives fables or profane babblings. (I Tim. 6:20;  I Tim. 4:7, 2 Peter 3:11)
  • In Hebrews 12:16, Esau is called profane because he profanely treated his Holy birthright, which would set him apart with the responsibility of spiritually leading His family before God.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:17 – “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”  When Christians, set apart and holy to God, step outside of what God has authorized they are acting profanely.

The bottom line application of these scriptures is this: Whether your intent is to use psalms and hymns for worship or not, they are holy.  Treating them in an unauthorized manner and thus in an unholy manner is to profane them and sin.  Just as using the Lord’s Supper in a vain manner by not focusing on Christ is sinful, singing psalms and hymns without God in mind and reverence toward Him is sinful. Clapping out the song B.I.B.L.E., the word of God – sinful!  Playing the “The Old Rugged Cross” on the piano at home – sinful!  Listening to instrumental psalms and hymns on the radio in your car – sinful!  To use the name of God, the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit in song for non-authorized purposes is to use the name of God in vain – This too is sinful! It is vanity and pride to think one can take something holy to God and use it for themselves in an ordinary worldly way.

What Should We Now Know about Singing?

We know in regard to worship with psalms and hymns, it can be done anywhere and at anytime.  The authority for determining how Christians should treat psalms and hymns in a proper manner comes from God’s eternal principles and the Covenant of Christ as found in the New Testament.  Christians today sing psalms and hymns, but not spiritual songs as sung in the first century.  The purpose of those songs is worship and edification not worldly applications like entertainment, personal enjoyment, or personal celebration. Psalms and hymns can be sung anywhere and at any time, but must edify, be expedient, and understandable.  There is no authorization to sing Psalms and hymns accompanied by clapping or instruments at anytime whether intending to worship or not.  God has presented psalms and hymns as holy.  Their usage is not to be profaned with common treatment in any setting and to do so is sinful.  Psalms and hymns must always be treated reverently.

How is your congregational leadership handling these issues?  How are you handling these issues in your family when they have arisen?  If you are engaged in them, more is needed then just stopping the activity.  Repentance requires seeking forgiveness from God.  If this is something you or the congregation has engaged in publicly, then there needs to be public repentance so all will know not to follow your example causing you to be a stumbling block.  Brothers and sisters, leaders of congregations, let us treat our God and what He has sanctified to Himself as Holy that we might stand before Him in good favor.

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Poor in Spirit

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

The Lord began His great sermon, known as the Sermon on the Mount with these words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) With these words Jesus began one of the greatest orations in the history of mankind. There have been many great speeches or sermons given by men, both inspired or non-inspired, that have shaped the course of human history. Great speeches such as the one given at the Gettysburg battlefield in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln, or the wartime speeches of Winston Churchill, have inspired men to accomplish great and noble deeds – yet even these great speeches pale in comparison to this majestic and beautiful sermon preached by our Savior in Matthew 5:3 through Matthew 7:27.

In His sermon Jesus lays out the foundational principles of His glorious spiritual kingdom. He opens with the first great principle of importance in the life of a child of God – dependency upon God. For one to become a child of God they must begin with an honest and good heart (Luke 8:15). One with an honest and good heart recognizes that, of himself, he can do nothing, but must instead rely upon God. If one does not possess this innate knowledge of his own dependency on God, he will never fully submit to God, attempting instead to guide himself through life. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23) It is not possible to live the life God would have us to live without placing ourselves under His guidance – in humble submission to His Will.

The level of man’s dependency upon God is seen in the way the child of God is described as “ poor in spirit. ” The word “poor” carries the idea of being one who is destitute, or a beggar. Beggars were a common sight in the first century, as there was no welfare system in place. One who was unable to support himself or his family because of some type of disability had no other option but to beg for his daily bread. He was totally dependant upon the benevolence of others. Likewise, one who would be a child of God also recognizes that he is totally dependant upon the benevolence or grace of God for his spiritual sustenance.

The one who would be a child of God understands that he is a spiritual beggar. It is in the knowledge of our own spiritual poverty and dependence upon God that we find the strength to live the Christian life. This is what Paul meant when he said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) In another passage he said, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) When we rely upon God’s strength rather than our own, we find that He gives us strength to overcome and endure the heartaches and woes of this earthly life.

Jesus says, “blessed”, or eternally happy, will be those who recognize this dependence upon God for both salvation and guidance. In what way will the “ poor in spirit ” be blessed? They will be blessed because “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Those who submit themselves to God will be added to the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven is that spiritual body composed of those who are saved. On earth, that kingdom is the church and when the end comes (i.e. the end of the world) Christ shall, deliver “up the kingdom to God.” (1 Corinthians 15:24) Those who are in the kingdom, Christians, shall then be blessed to be in the presence of God throughout eternity.

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Control

Who has control of your life?

Imagine for a moment that your life is represented by a circle. Inside that circle, in the very center, is a throne. On that throne sits, by your choosing, the ruling influence in your life. Who is sitting on the throne of your heart?

Some put their enemies on the throne of their hearts. These people allow their enemies to consume their lives because hate for their enemies control their thoughts, their actions, and their attitudes. Some put their friends on the throne of their hearts. Many allow their friends to dictate what they wear, what they say, what they do, even what they believe about God. Friends can be a blessing or they can be a curse. In the Bible, we read about Amnon who had the wrong kind of friends (2 Samuel 13). Even in the New Testament, we are warned: “Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). But, most people put self on the throne of their hearts. They say, “What’s in it for me?” and that becomes the determining factor in the lives of those who are dominated by self. If we will stop and think, however, the most miserable person and the most selfish person are one and the same!

Thus, we should put Christ on the throne of our hearts. If we want to experience an abundant life now (John 10:10) and an eternal life in heaven (Romans 6:23), we must allow Christ to rule our lives! Christ is Lord (Acts 2:36). The word “Lord” means master, owner; one who has power or authority over another. So, is He your Lord? You know He wants the best for you. But know this, Jesus has said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). He has also said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). In our individual lives, if Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.

You know, each of us will serve someone. Each of us will put someone on the throne of our hearts. It may be our enemies, our friends or loved ones, our selves, Christ, or some other. We’re going to serve someone! But, whom do you serve? Who is your lord? Who controls your life?

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Battle

The Battle for Men’s Mind is Raging

We are at war! Being a follower of Christ means we have enlisted into the army of the true Commander-in-Chief of the universe and now are committed to follow Him in the battle against unrighteousness. Paul described this battle in these words. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Cor. 10:3-6).

We have weapons! Our leaders have equipped us with weapons to be used as long as we live in the flesh. Paul said, “We do war according to the flesh.” The tactics and weapons used by others in the flesh are not the ones we have to use.

We have weapons, but they are not carnal. Many in the first century thought that the King of kings came to establish an earthly kingdom where He would sit and rule on a throne like other kings. (Some today make the same mistake about the nature of His kingdom.) When Pilate, who thought Jesus’ purpose was to be an earthly king, asked Jesus, “Are You the king of Jews?” Jesus forever settled this matter when He replied, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews” (John 18:33, 36).  We are at war; we are armed with weapons; our weapons are not the same weapons used by regular armies.

We have weapons designed to destroy everything which exalts itself against God. Note that Paul said they are mighty (in the Greek, the word is the same word for dynamite). They are designed to pull down (the Greek indicated the tearing down of walls of a castle where the enemy felt he was secure). They are designed to pull down strong holds and every high thing (even castles where men in their pompous reasoning have taken fortification). Ephesians 6:10-20 shows His word is the basis of all our weapons!

We have enemies and we know his name. Paul said the enemies we must defeat are the arguments that seek preeminence above Christ and holiness. Our enemy is seeking to condone abortion, homosexuality, pre-marital sex and fornication. We know the enemy who seemingly is winning the battle for the minds of those around us.

We have to take up our weapons now! We know the issues before us. We no longer can keep silent! To fail to speak boldly about these matters is to surrender to hell!

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Go to the Church of God’s Choice

There is a statement that is commonly heard throughout our society that says: “Go to the church of your choice.” You have probably seen it (or similar statements) emblazoned on various bumper stickers, signs, posters, and billboards. This statement presupposes that there is a choice to be made in picking a church. For many people, this type of statement makes perfect sense – “it stands to reason!”

Within our communities, whether they be small towns or large, metropolitan cities, there are so many different “houses of worship.” In many places, you can find a number of “churches” – three, four, five, six, or more, all located within a short distance of each other. On one corner, you might see the church building where the local Methodists meet, across the street is the imposing place of worship of the “First Baptists,” while down the avenue is the large, impressive Roman Catholic cathedral. This supposedly presents the member of the community with a wide number of choices to be made when they start planning where to place their membership and attend worship services.

Many of these “churches” consider themselves “Christian,” meaning that their members at least maintain some sort of belief in Jesus Christ and recognize the Bible to be a source (however limited) of spiritual guidance and encouragement. Yet, these same “churches” also represent many different religious groups which vary greatly in their own beliefs, doctrines, and practices. For example, Roman Catholics strongly believe that it is necessary for infants to be baptized while Baptists do not.

The very existence of these different “churches” (religious groups) inevitably leads to some questions: 1.) Which “church” (group) should I select to place my own membership and attend? 2.) Which “church” has members that share my own personal convictions? and 3.) Which “church” is correct in its teachings and is right with God? These are all valid questions! They need to be answered.

The many choices that are presented to the common person have the potential to lead to great confusion and frustration. Some people deal with this confusion by saying (and believing): “It doesn’t matter where you go!” or “One church is as good as another!” Trying to rationalize their decision, they may add: “All roads lead to heaven.” or “All roads lead to the same destination.” Those who believe this way frequently maintain that the only thing that really matters is attendance at some type of “church.”

This has ultimately led to the statement: “Go to the church of your choice!” We are told to select the “church” that pleases us. We are encouraged to go to the group that makes us feel good and happy – which best meets our “felt needs.” Still, the questions linger!

However, when we go to God’s word, the Bible, we discover that our choice is quite simple and straightforward. There is only one correct choice to be made! In his letter to the brethren at Colossae in Asia Minor, the apostle Paul writes: “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18) [NKJV]. The “He” that Paul is referring to here is Jesus Christ. Notice that Paul states that Christ is “…the head of the body, the church” [underlines mine, eas]. He repeats this idea later on in this same chapter in v. 24 and also explains that “the body” is “…His body.” Thus, Paul emphasizes here, as he does also in Ephesians 1:22 – 23; 4:4, that Christ’s body, the church, is singular, not plural!

Christ is not the head of “a body” which is “a church.” Rather, He is the head of “the body” which is “the church.” The church, therefore, is not one of many but the one and only! There is no other! It is the “…one body” mentioned in I Corinthians 12:12 – 13, Ephesians 4:4, and Colossians 3:15.

So we come to the obvious and necessary conclusion that there is only one true church! As we look out at all the choices that are available, we do not have to be confused or frustrated. On the contrary, we can be confident as we select the church that teaches the truth – the truth that is in God’s word. One of the key attributes of the one, genuine church is that it is “…the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Timothy 3:15).

Let us choose to become members of the church that is headed by God’s precious Son Jesus Christ and is ruled by His teachings. Let us: “GO TO THE CHURCH OF GOD’S CHOICE!”

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