Articles

Ephesians 5:19: Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Colossians 3:16: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

These two verses teach the truth about how we must worship God through song.

Notice toward the beginning of both verses that the phrases “speaking to yourselves” and “teaching and admonishing one another” are used. An important purpose of “congregational” singing is to edify one another.

This does not mean though that the purpose of such singing is to please ourselves. Notice the ending of both verses says “to the Lord.”

It is God who we must please. It is God who has the right to determine what is and is not acceptable in our worship. We must therefore follow His commands.

The commands He has given in the New Testament concerning worship in song all reference singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; James 5:13). The examples He has given concerning New Testament worship in song likewise all reference singing (cf. Matt. 26:30; Acts 16:25; 1 Cor. 14:15).

In the Old Testament, worshipping God with instrumental music was acceptable to God (cf. Psalm 33:2), as was offering animal sacrifices. The fact that animal sacrifices were willed by God under the Old Law does not make it so under the Law of Christ. Likewise, the presence of instrumental music in the Old Testament does not make it God’s will for worship today (cf. Col. 2:14).

Some question how worshipping with instrumental music can be a problem if God has not come out directly and said it is sin.

Consider an illustration. If we are asked to paint someone’s kitchen white, we would recognize that it needs to be painted white. The individual asking does not have to say NOT to paint it green, blue, yellow, red, or any other color. The understanding is that white means white alone.

This principle is illustrated in the biblical example of Noah. When God asked him to make an ark of gopher wood, God did not have to list hundreds of woods that could not be used (Gen. 6:14). The command necessarily inferred that gopher wood was all that was acceptable.

The problem with mechanical instruments in worship today is that God commands us to make melody in our heart by singing. Making melody with a piano, organ, or other mechanical instrument is not making melody in our heart by singing. It is worshipping God differently than He commands, which He forbids (Lev. 10:1-2).

Making melody by listening to others sing is likewise not obeying the command. Everyone has a responsibility to sing…not just a select few in a “church choir.” Those who are afraid their singing is “not up to par” should remember that God is their judge and He is listening to their hearts (those tempted to criticize such individuals should remember this too).

Having said all of this, it is important to note that the need for obeying God’s command to sing is not fulfilled only by ensuring our outward actions follow His pattern of “singing.” Consider additional instruction He gives concerning this.

Our singing must be sincere, as indicated by the phrase “making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Our hearts should be moved as we sing words that we mean.

We must also sing with thanksgiving, as pointed out in Colossians 3:16. A thankful, joyful heart that means the words being sung is pleasing to God.

This should be the goal of our worship to God. Mankind can devise numerous ways to worship that seem like a good idea to our fallible minds. Yet, only those who follow God’s commands are showing the love for Him He desires (1 John 5:3).

May we sing with grace and melody in our hearts, and thereby make a sound that is beautiful to God and edifies others.

– Michael Hickox

1 Peter 4:3-4: For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

1 Peter teaches that following Jesus involves being “a peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9) and living as “strangers and pilgrims” (1 Peter 2:11) who are set apart from this world. The word peculiar refers to the fact that the church is God’s purchased possession (see Strong G4047). As God’s people who are set apart for His purpose, Christians are different, and can even seem “strange” in the eyes of the world.

The one who has put off the old man (1 Peter 4:1-2) no longer fills his or her time with things such as “lasciviousness, lusts, [and] excess of wine,” but with soberness and prayer (verse 7), fervent charity (verse 8), hospitality (verse 9), and service to God and others (verses 10-11).

Living this life is not viewed as “normal.”

People “think it strange” when a man or woman chooses to stay at home instead of joining friends for a night of “partying.” “They think it strange” when a man and woman wait until marriage for sexual contact. “They think it strange” when one refuses to tell a lie, no matter how “small” the lie seems. “They think strange” when one avoids gossiping and murmuring. “They think it strange” when one is asked what plans he or she has for the evening and replies, “I have an hour set aside to pray” or “I’m studying Titus this evening.”

People will think it especially strange if we used to be just like them but now speak against the things we once did.

Telling people we are Christians does not necessarily change this perception. Our society sees Christianity as a belief that Jesus is the Son of God (which is good) and a choice to assemble with saints (which is also good). But presenting oneself as a “living sacrifice” to God (Romans 12:1) involves a lifestyle change (verse 2), and many find this change strange.

God’s people have long been tempted to “fit in” with the world (1 Samuel 8:20), but God does not desire this (James 4:4).

This doesn’t mean we can’t fit in with the world on things God is indifferent about, like whether we prefer chicken or steak.

When it comes to spiritual matters, though, we should not be “conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2). We should be different from the majority.

Though the world’s opinions of us can be discouraging, may we remember that this world is not our permanent home.

On the Day of Judgment, we will either be glad, or wish, we took the narrow path that leads to life (Matthew 7:14)…the path just a few seemingly “strange” people take.

– Michael Hickox

The words “Trust and Obey” form the title to a hymn written by John H. Sammis. These words describe a key part of our responsibility toward God.

Notice some words in the final verse of the hymn: “What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey.” This is a mindset that we should always have.

Those who desire the narrow path that leads to life must live lives God’s way. Instead of deciding how we want to serve God, it is our duty to simply let God use us as He pleases.

We should see ourselves as God’s purchased possession (1 Corinthians 6:20), and as the clay of God “our potter” (Isaiah 64:8).

When God asks us to do something, it is not our job to question if it is a good idea. It is our job to simply trust and obey.

Trust can be built by allowing God’s Word to take root in our hearts (Romans 10:17). Obedience should follow that trust (John 17:17).

“Trust and obey” is a simple, yet uncommon principle to have as the guide of one’s life. Yet, it is what God desires of us.

May we do what He says, and may we go where He sends. Never fear, only trust and obey.

– Michael Hickox

Those seeking wisdom must distinguish between the wisdom from God and that which is from man. Consider a few
examples of the difference between the two to see how far removed worldly “wisdom” is from the truth.

The Bible:

The world may teach: The Bible originated from the minds of men no less fallible than you or I.
But God says: All Scripture was given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16). While men physically took pen to paper, the words they wrote that comprise the Bible do not teach any man’s wisdom, but God’s.

The Scriptures’ “Fallibility”:

The world may teach: God’s commands need not be followed if they are “outdated” or do not “make sense.”
But God says: The truth’s never outdated (1 Peter 1:25). God’s ways and thoughts are far superior to ours (Isaiah 55:9), so it is not surprising that some commands do not “make sense” to mankind. It is not His Word that must change, but us. We must simply trust and obey (Genesis 22:1-12).

The Church:

The world may teach: The church is a man-made institution that must meet the  public’s demands to attract numbers.
But God says: The church was built by Jesus (Matthew 16:18). The Lord determines who is added to His church contingent on one’s obedience (Acts 2:47). Individuals in close proximity who have been added to the Lord’s church join together to worship God and edify one another. These individuals form local churches of saints (cf. Ephesians 1:1). There are no commands given to local churches to increase numbers by a certain “quota.” The church should, though, seek to convert as many souls as possible, while not compromising truth to do so. The church is to uphold truth (1 Timothy 3:15), and grow spiritually (Ephesians 4:13-16).

Pride:

The world may teach: To be successful individuals, we must become proud.
But God says: Pride comes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18). God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). The proud are sure to fall (2 Chronicles 26:16; Daniel 4:28-33; Acts 12:21-23). Those who are humble will be lifted up by God (Luke 18:14; 1 Peter 5:6).

Life’s Purpose:

The world may teach: Life is about “advancing” oneself by seeking to “fulfill one’s dreams.”
But God says: Life’s purpose is bringing glory to God by serving Him to the best of our ability (Romans 12:1). What is far more important than education, careers, money, or fame is whether or not we are pleasing God.

– Michael Hickox

For prayer to have the effectiveness God intends, it must be according to God’s will (Matthew 6:7; James 1:6-7; James 4:3; 1 Peter 3:12). When it is according to His will, its value is enormous (James 5:16). When Christians are in difficult situations, we should ask ourselves, (as the hymn encourages) “Did You Think to Pray?”

When we know someone in a tough situation, do we pray for him or her like the disciples did for Peter (Acts 12:5)?

When someone has wronged us, do we seek revenge, or pray for them, just as Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34; cf. Matthew 5:44; Acts 7:60)?

When we see evil, do we become angry at those in sin, or do we pray that God “will send forth labourers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:38) to help save sinners?

When those in authority make decisions that we disagree with, do we murmur, or pray “for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:2)?

When trials come our way, are we anxious about them, or do we pray as instructed, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7)?

We must trust prayer’s power, and obey Philippians 4:6: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

– Michael Hickox