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10/13 Reading Portions: 1 Kings 16; Colossians 3; Ezekiel 46; Psalm 102
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
SUBSTANCE
In the American church today, when it comes to singing in corporate worship, it sadly seems we have at times forsaken God’s sanctified Word for glib sentimentality. I’m not necessarily speaking of vain repetition— although, heaven knows, there’s a lot of that going on— yet if we are to teach and admonish one another, not only in fellowship but also as we sing together, repetition is needful due to the weakness of our flesh. Remember Psalm 136? “…for His steadfast love endures forever” is repeated at the end of every verse. That is a truth of which we must be reminded again and again and again. The apostle reminds us that the word of Christ must dwell in [us] richly. This means the truth of Christ’s atoning and redemptive work must be the sum and substance of our worship of God— especially when it comes to singing praises to Him with thanksgiving in our hearts. Many (not all) contemporary songs “penned for worship” are superficial at best because the emphasis is upon you and me as the recipients of God’s grace; or it emphasizes our response to God for who He is. Please don’t misunderstand. Hymns and spiritual songs with an emphasis on our reception of God’s grace or our response to His attributes are totally acceptable forms of worship. The personal testimony is an integral part of exalting our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, on the other hand, one such repetitive verse in Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) comes to mind:
“I could sing of your love forever.” —Martin Smith, “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever” Maranantha Music, 1994
Compared to Psalm 136, this sentiment sadly lacks substance. The truth of the matter is, although it may feel like it at times, you and I will not sing of God’s love forever in this mortal flesh; for that won’t happen until that Day when Christ returns (1 Jn 3:2).
Nevertheless, when the word of Christ richly dwells in us, and we sing with thanksgiving in our hearts because of Christ’s atoning and redemptive truth, even the weakest worded songs sung to the Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit, are received by God as if it had perfect “tone meant” —because of Christ’s perfect atonement! Hallelujah! What a Savior!
The word of Christ that richly dwells
Within our souls to sing,
Proclaims the gospel as we tell
Of Christ, in praise we bring.
