Sing Like We Believe It

The last fifty years have brought significant changes in the way Christians do congregational worship. Much of this change has come within what is known as the Free Church tradition. By Free Church is meant those churches that have stood outside the established Church of England and have come to comprise much, if not most, of American Protestantism. During the 1800s the views of the revivalist, Charles G. Finney, began to make their impact on congregational worship. The sermon was preceded by “preliminaries” and followed by what was often a lengthy invitation. This model of still followed in many churches today. The 1960s saw another wave of change in congregational worship. A greater variety of musical instruments made their appearance. The overhead projector and power point made it possible to project the words of hymns and gospel songs on a screen. Worship teams and more enthusiastic singing began to characterize the Sunday morning worship service. These and other changes in music style have contributed to what has come to be called “worship wars.” Connecting the word “war” with worship seems strange, but there have been problems. How a church does its music has become the occasion for congregational civil war. Some of the battle lines have been generational in nature, with the youth wanting a different musical experience than their parents and grandparents. But that doesn’t explain everything. If the Bible is to inform and circumscribe our corporate worship, we must do our thinking along its lines.

How does music fit into our worship of God? The early church was born with a song in its mouth. Paul and Silas sang during the night while in jail in Philippi. The Corinthian and Ephesian congregations were admonished to sing with spirit and mind fully engaged making melody with the heart to the Lord. True worshipers are singers of spiritual songs to the Lord. The Holy Spirit makes it possible to sing joyfully unto the Lord and joins believers together in mutual encouragement and edification. Worshiping in song is to be the declaration of biblical truth in a variety of musical styles and songs. The Word of Christ is to enrich our public worship (Col. 3:16). Speaking to one another in song can take place through a wide range of musical styles and forms. As singing people we value diverse expressions of love for God. This would include the voice (solos, choir, ensembles, duets, trios, etc.) and other instruments (piano organ, guitar, wind instruments, percussion instruments, etc.). The musical styles and songs of God’s people with any musical instrument must always be for the purpose of glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ. This is accomplished when the heart is prepared. If our music is merely artistry, ability, and show, then it is not truly Christian. Christian music is not for entertainment. It is for the exaltation of God. Hypocrisy produces music that is out of harmony with God. We honor God when we offer thanksgiving to Him in the name of Christ. Hearts that are filled with delight in God cannot help but break out in exuberant praise.

The application of these fundamental truths regarding our worship in song should affect us in many ways. The Christian ought to come to Sunday worship already a worshiper the other six days of the week. To sit or stand alongside other believers in a worship service and stare off into space, daydream, and mindlessly thread words through one’s mouth is a mockery of God-inspired worship. To sing a familiar hymn or chorus and not have a clue as to what we just sang is scarily easy. The mind is to be engaged when we sing, savoring the precious truths that fall from our lips (1 Cor. 14:15). We are to listen to ourselves and our fellow believers as we sing unto the Lord. But singing is not just a matter of the mind. If our hearts are filled with joy, then our cups will run over. This would mean strong singing, even if you can’t carry a tune. If you want to raise your hands while singing as an expression of adoration of God, then do it. If others around do not do the same, don’t let that become an issue. The enjoyment of God can show itself in different ways through different personalities, but it must always be the offering of genuine devotion to the Lord (Jn. 4:24). Allow brotherly kindness and love guide you in the way you participate in worship. Be open to a variety of musical expressions in worship. One of the reasons music is the occasion for conflict is because our basic response to music is emotional. But that must not be allowed to define our level of involvement.

As you enter the next worship service bring the following things. Bring biblical truth to inform, guide, and pulsate at the center of your singing. Bring a sense of responsibility for your thoughts and concentration on the words being sung. Bring an awareness that God is our audience. Bring a singing, worshipful heart. Martin Luther’s words are worth remembering, “If any would not sing and talk of what Christ has wrought for us, he shows thereby that he does not really believe.” We are believers. Let’s sing like it.

Dr. Howard E. Dial
Berachah Bible Church