The Means of Our Worship

 The Means of Our Worship¹

Many Christians get wrapped up in a style of worship. We too often assume ideas and beliefs that aren't really supported by God's Word. Francis Schaeffer wrote, “Let me say firmly that there is no such thing as a godly style or an ungodly style. The more one tries to make such a distinction, the more confusing it becomes.”²

The Bible simply makes no reference to a preferred style. In fact, not one of our modern music styles-country, rock, jazz, classical, R & B, and so on-was even around when the Bible was written!

Psalm 96:1 (NASB), “Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth.”

Jeremiah 6:16 (NASB):

Thus says the Lord,
“Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,
Where the good way is, and walk in it;
And you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”

We're encouraged in these verses to sing new songs; yet we are also exhorted to seek the “ancient paths” when our ancestors walked with God. I have no doubt those “ancient paths” could include our ancestor's songs.

Style is not the issue with God. He loves all kinds of music-as long as it honors Him. What matters is not so much what we sing, but how we sing it. He wants to see that our music is flowing from hearts that truly worship Him.

Have you ever stopped to think that classic songs like, “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace” were new songs at one point? And some the choruses that are so new to us will one day be the old and familiar hymns of the next generation. That status of a song changes with time. The key to a good praise song is not whether it's old or new-or fast or slow, for that matter-but whether it expresses truth that Christians' hearts long to sing.

Jehoshaphat and the children of Judah also chose an old, familiar psalm (see Psalm 136:1 and 2 Chronicles 7:3). The style of the song did not have bearing on their choice. It was the message, the truth of the song they were passionate about. And that is the same passion God looks for in us, regardless of our style of music.

While particular music styles should not become a personal issue with us, we still need to consider them. We have already established that the kind of God-honoring music we sing and play does not determine our vertical relationship with God and how He responds to us. On the other hand, the music we choose may have an adverse effect on our horizontal relationship with others. And, the way the we treat each other does ultimately affect how we relate to and please our Lord.

John 13:34-35 (NASB):

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Romans 12:10 (NASB):

 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor...”

What do these verses say to us about how we act toward other Christians? Are we willing to put aside our personal preferences and agendas and focus instead on ministering to the people around us?

Why is it that we want to force our music on other Christians just because we like it? Who is it we apparently love the most; them our ourselves?

There are occasions where specialized praise times are healthy and valuable for the body of Christ. Those meetings can and should focus on the specific music preferences of the particular group gathered for worship, whether it comprises teenagers, women, senior adults, and so on. Also, some churches have purposefully chosen to reach a more narrowly defined population group. When those congregations come together for corporate worship, the members expect the songs to be of a certain music style. That's not being unloving-that's being strategic about reaching the unchurched around them.

I am not speaking of using music as a tool for evangelism, although it can be used for that. We are not considering Christian music vs. secular. Our focus is on respecting one another in the entire family of God.

And in a spiritual family there are all types of musical interests. The problem is not in our varying of tastes. Actually, that is a blessing God designed for His people. The trouble comes when we want to treat every worship service as if it's our own personal “tasting fair,” and we're the judges. That way, if we don't' particularly like a song, we can reject it and toss it out of the service.

I don't' think that is what Peter had in mind when he said, “All of you should be in agreement, understanding each other, loving each other as family, being kind and humble” (1 Peter 3:8, New Century Version).

As long as the music of fellow Christians clearly and scripturally honors the Lord, we are compelled to honor them and their musical preferences. When we esteem others and consider them more important than ourselves, we are poised to let the world know we are Christians by our love.

My Daily Praise

Take a moment and read Psalm 27. Try making up a melody and singing the first verse or two. Don't be so concerned with the style of your melody. Determine instead to simply lift your heart to our “light” and “salvation.”

My Daily Surrender

Search your heart right now. Why do you worship? Is your real motive to bless God, or is it to be blessed? One strong indicator is whether you can lay aside your own musical tastes and choose to worship the Lord with your fellow brothers and sisters, even when it's not through your preferred style of music.

1This material is taken from DeWayne Moore's book, Pure Praise (Loveland: CO: Group Publishing, 2009), 109-114.

2Francis A. Schaeffer, Art and the Bible (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973), 76.