Some people who enjoy classical music go out for the evening to take in the symphony while others would rather stay home and listen to their favorite sonata, overture or philharmonic. As a child, I remember my father playing Bach, Mozart or Beethoven on the reel-to-reel or the vinyl records through over-sized floor speakers.
The musicians in the orchestra have spent a lot of time working at the thing that they love to do and mastering their instrument. Each individual artist continues to learn, grow and to refine their skill in order to contribute their part to the overall good of the group. Consider how the symphony would sound if a few of the musicians didn’t show up? What would happen if some refused to practice and arrived unprepared? What if a couple of people forgot their music or if one in the back did not tune their instrument? If even a couple at the side refused to follow the conductor’s lead, the perfomance would be a noticeable failure.
The local church is called the body of Christ, with Jesus Himself as the head (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; 2:19). The human body has various individual and unique parts, but they are all connected together, and they work in concert as one so that collectively it has incredible form and function. We may compare God’s plan and purpose for the church to a philharmonic, which translated into English is “love for harmony”.
Paul, writing to the church at Rome, reminds the people of their essential need for unity and togetherness in 12:16, by saying “Live in harmony with one another.” Paul recognizes that we are uniquely different in our talents, our desires and passions (Rom 12:4) “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function.” We do not need to be envious of who someone else is or what they have, because God has created us all with His purpose in mind and for His glory (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). We must not feel unneeded, unnecessary nor unworthy because every part is vitally essential for the working of the body.
Some in the orchestra are upfront. They have a lot of play time and may be louder than most. But even the second fiddle is needed to bring wholeness and beauty to the overall sound. Paul addressed the struggle of “the small part” or the seemingly insignificant member of the body in 1 Corinthians 12:22: when he wrote: “The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor.” No one should say (or even think), because I am not like that other brother or sister, I am not needed. (1 Corinthians 12:15-17)
On the other hand, no one can say, “We don’t need you because I am better than you or more valuable than you.” (1 Corinthians 12:21). Every person has their own piece to play according to the composer’s arrangement. In Romans 12:16, Paul writes, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” The context of being humble, of fellowshiping with everyone and refusing to be proud or seeming to “know-it-all”, is in order that the “band of believers” (the church) can play beautiful music (metaphor for loving, honoring, serving each other) in the unity that comes through the Holy Spirit.
It is easier to be humble, kind and loving when we remember that the gifts that we have come from God. He has given to each the ability and opportunity to have their talent. The Lord has assigned both the “measure of faith” (Romans 12:3) and the “grace given to us” (Romans 12:5) as it relates to our work in the body of Christ. The purpose of my talent is not to inflate my ego or to have power over others. It is instead, to serve others (1 Peter 4:10) and glorify God (Colossians 3:17; 23-24).
The body of Christ is connected to the head, Jesus Christ. He is the conductor of the orchestra. Each person in the chair must be willing to carefully and faithfully follow the direction of the conductor in order to make the music which God has written, creating unity through diversity. Each one must play their part, must be on the same page, have an attitude of humility and give all they can, for successful, effectual and fruitful service.
Those who achieve remarkable success in music not only have talent and skill, but they also have a love and a passion for what they do. It truly becomes who they are – the feeling of “I was born for this.” When they play their instrument, they feel fulfilled and free.
In just that way, Christians should recognize the high calling of serving the Lord and to do so with passion and zeal. When we realize how much God loves us and how much He has given of Himself so that we could be a part of the Body of Christ, our work and service will flow from a heart of gratitude and a desire to glorify Him.
When the local church lives together in unity, in love, humility, sacrifice and service the world will be blessed and it will become obvious that God is working in us and through us. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) Jesus’ prayer with the disciples before His death included the plea, “That they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me.” (John 17:23)
Let us then resolve to continue faithfully investing our time, our treasure, and talents in the church and in the world for the benefit of others to the praise and glory of God. “From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:16)
Detroit MI
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
We trust that over the past few weeks you have been blessed with times of joy and celebration with family and friends. You also had the opportunity to pray and give thanks for relationships, health, safe travels and the many abundant blessings from the Lord. Whatever our current situation we can find something to be thankful for, which should cause is to pray to the Lord who gives us life, strength, hope and victory, which when we think about our spiritual blessings, we find great joy.
Paul wrote about joy, prayer and thanksgiving in 1 Thessalonians 5. The challenge of this admonition is not for us to occasionally participate in these spiritual disciplines, but to live in them at all times. How can this be?
This is more than just a suggestion for Christian growth; this is God’s will for us in daily living. It seems Paul knew that the disciples in Thessalonica wanted to know God’s will for them. In this short letter, Paul states “this is the will of God for you” twice. Previously, he wrote, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honour” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
In the next chapter, Paul writes, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)
The command to be joyful continually was given to the Israelites as the were entering the promise land. Among many of the laws that were given, the Lord said, “And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all that you undertake” (Deuteronomy 12:18). While rejoicing out of duty is difficult, we also read of much joy in an intimate relationship and in the faithful worship of Jehovah (Psalm 5:11; 16:11; 32:11; 40:16; 90:14; 97:12).
Paul often wrote of the joy he had in Christ. Yet, looking at his circumstances and the constant struggles, disappointments and persecution, he had a good excuse to become discouraged, bitter and complain about his condition. Yet he found joy in prison, in rejection and in persecution (Philippians 3:1; 4:4).
We don’t want bad things to happen to ourselves or anyone else, but we know that the tests, trials and temptations of life can knock us down. We may not shout songs of joy for our times of struggle and sorrow, but we can find joy because the Lord is with us in and through the pain. We know there will be victory and celebration in the future glory through Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote that even through afflictions, hardships, dishonour, slander and having nothing, he could still say “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). Paul also wrote, “In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy” (2 Corinthians 7:4) and “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake” (Colossians 1:24). In a similar way, Jesus endured the pain and suffering of the cross because He knew there was joy on the other side (Hebrews 12:2).
We, too, can find strength in God’s power, comfort in God’s grace and hope in God’s promises. Remembering, when it is easy to forget, will fill our heart and mind with the joy of the Lord.
If rejoicing always is challenging, how are we to pray without ceasing? Should we stay home in our prayer closet all day talking with God? What about sleeping at night? Even our most seasoned “prayer warriors” take a break from prayer. Most Biblical scholars teach that we are always ready, willing and able to pray, regardless of the time, place or situation in life. Warren Wiersbe writes in his commentary “the word means constantly recurring, not continuously occurring.”
The sons of Korah prayed early in the morning (Psalm 88:13). David prayed in the evening (Psalm 141:2) and the middle of the night (Psalm 42:8). Nehemiah prayed before talking to the King (Nehemiah 2:4). The disciples prayed for boldness (Acts 4:31). The church prayed for missions (Acts 13:2–3). Paul and Silas prayed in the jail in Philippi (Acts 16:25). Paul prayed for the salvation of his friends (Romans 10:1) Paul prayed for the churches (Colossians 1:3).
We should always be aware that the Lord is near. Close enough that we can talk and we know that He is listening and He cares. When we see something beautiful, we can thank Him. When we are worried, we cast our cares on Him. In times of pain, we seek comfort. When we are lost (physically, emotionally, spiritually), we ask for direction. When we are tempted, we pray for strength to overcome. When there is a decision (big or small), we ask for wisdom. When there is an opportunity, we pray for success.
In addition to our unceasing prayer, we are to give thanks in everything. We often fail to recognize how much the Lord has blessed us with an abundance of possessions, personal and religious freedom, access to healthcare, relationships with family and friends, and innumerable spiritual blessings in Christ. We, out of all the people of the world, should be the most thankful. One of the most telling signs of gratitude is our conversation with our father and with other people. If we are constantly complaining, comparing or craving more, we will not have heart of gratitude.
Everything that we do should be in the will, authority and power of our Lord. When we live according to God’s plan, we can be thankful because God is with us and we are bringing praise to him. Paul writes, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17; also see Ephesians 5:18–20).
We are instructed what not to do and what we are to be doing when we pray in faith. This focus is more about the condition of our heart over the words that we say. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Rejoice, pray and be thankful always in all ways. Paul exhorts us to “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).
Bible references are from the English Standard Version.
Royal Oak, Michigan
Looking in mirrors is nothing new and some people spend too much time doing it. Checking and rechecking their appearance, they hope to make the best possible impression. A slip, a spill, a gust or a shower and it is all undone. Then there are others who give no thought to how they look nor show concern for personal hygiene. In their case, less is definitely not more.
In what is perhaps a familiar metaphor, James the brother of Jesus compares the person who looks in a mirror only to forget what he saw, to the person who hears the word of God but forgets to do it. The value of ‘the perfect law of liberty’ is not only what it tells us about who God is, but that it also shows us how to be the people that God wants us to be. (James 1:23.)
Spiritual self examination is the first step and valuable only when we compare ourselves with the perfection and holiness of God. A quick glance won’t do. We must look intently into the mirror of God’s word and put our minds to work to understand what God is saying. This takes the kind of diligence that just won’t quit until the truth comes out, so that God’s truth might be formed within us. And it takes humility.
Mirrors do not lie and especially not the one provided by God. Therefore, when we do “look intently into this mirror” (1:23) we must be prepared to make changes both big and small.
The bathroom mirror can show us when our hair is a mess and our clothes don’t match. It is always easier to leave things as they are or to hope that no one notices. And besides, we all know people who look a whole lot worse. To the contrary, believing what you are seeing and understanding that there is a problem is the first step. Caring enough to change is the second. Big changes take a lot of effort. Lasting change takes a lifetime in order for the change to last for a lifetime.
As spiritual people, we truly care about how we appear to God. We want to be our best and to do our best in our new relationship with Him. To that end, we want to immediately correct anything ungodly in our lives and bring reproach upon the Lord. The time to change is now…lest we forget what we saw or learned about ourselves from the mirror of God’s word (1:24). Decisions delayed or often forgotten.
Jesus talked about this in the parable of the sower. Some of the seed was snatched away by the Devil when those who heard God’s word did not fully understand the truth (Matthew 13:19). Instead of asking, studying and digging for the light of God’s truth, some drifted back into the darkness.
A lot of men who check in the mirror to get ready in the morning do not come back for a second look. Women tend to be more intentional and take greater care. The mirror is bigger and a second is magnified. The room is brighter – attention to detail is the order of the day. A full length mirror ensures that all of the pieces fit just so and the mirror on the way out the front door agrees. There is a compact in the purse and another in the car’s visor just in case.
When it comes to the mirror of God’s Word, we ought to be more like women than men. One look is never enough. A weekly Sunday morning checkup leaves us barely able to remember what the sermon was about. We live our lives daily and need God’s word each moment of our lives. If we make it our goal to be pleasing to our heavenly Father, we must consult God’s word from day to day.
Even when we do study God’s word, we might misunderstand what he has said or fail to do what we know that He wants. Self deception is the most dangerous kind, since there is no one closer to us than ourselves (1:22). Let us then be warned and instructed to study God’s word in the light of the scriptures and to see our reflection in the light of that truth. When we see what it is that God’s word requires, let us do it without delay. Let us do it while our heart is soft, our spirit is yielding and our life is before us.
James therefore encourages us to look intently into the Word of God for the express purpose of spiritual transformation. The idea of liberty is a freedom to be the people who God created us to be. In addition, James writes that we will be blessed in our effort and work.
The result that God wants is this: “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (1:25)
Change is rarely easy and sometimes overwhelming. And when so many are needed, where do we start? Perhaps the most important thing is to choose one thing and start with that.
James suggests some areas by way of illustration.
The writer of Proverbs said, “As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” (Proverbs 27:19). Jesus identified the mouth as the gateway to the heart. What a person says reveals who they are within. Control of the tongue then is a heart issue. It begins with our thoughts, our attitudes, our motives and beliefs. We cannot be strangers to the word of God and truly ‘know’ God at the same time.
Let’s be regular, consistent and intentional in our Christian walk, ready when our Lord returns: “Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.” (2 Peter 3:14)
Detroit MI
Colossians 3:15
Many Christians and church leaders do not talk about the place and power of music in our worship to God. Some have never given this topic much thought or consideration. I do agree that we have spent an inordinate amount of time discussing instruments or no instruments when we meet for worship. That is all I remember on this topic from my childhood. In recent times lessons about music have been focused on what not to do (instruments) while giving little or no attention to what we are to be doing when we sing and why.
For example, what is the first thought that comes to mind when you read Ephesians 5:19
“…addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart…”
or 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.”
For many of us, instruments or no instruments is not only our first thought when we read these verses, it is our only thought. It is as if this was the main point that God, through Paul, was trying to teach.
In the context of Colossians 3, Paul is exhorting us to live in love, just as Christ loved us and sacrificed Himself (Colossians 3:1-2). If we love the Lord and one another we will not sin against one another (3:3-14). The rest of the chapter instructs how husbands and wives are to love one another. However, Paul is not the only one who is to teach and admonish fellow believers to live in love. We too are to instruct with wisdom and to encourage with patience through the songs that we sing.
Singing together is a powerful proclamation of our unity in faith and teaching. Our love is bound together in “perfect harmony” (3:14 – ESV) or in a “perfect bond of unity” (NASV). Whether we sing in four-part harmony or in unison we lift our voices together to speak the same thing. We all attempt to sing the same words, in the same key and in the same rhythm. This is a beautiful personification of the unity, cooperation and patience that is found in the body of Christ.
Secondly, songs give us a transportable tool to remember the words so that we can recite them later. Many people tell me that they cannot memorize a Bible verse, yet they can flawlessly sing the words and music to an entire song they have not heard in 25 years. I remember as a young child learning many Bible verses that were put to music which I still remember today. When the song, hymn or spiritual song is impressed on our mind, we can recall the message and meaning throughout our day or when we need to hear that message in a time of need. Paul tells us to “Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly” (3:16) and one way it lives inside our mind, heart and soul is through song.
Thirdly, music has a way of touching our heart and soul that sometimes cannot be reached with a spoken word. You may think of your favourite song (sacred or secular) and if someone simply read the words to you it would not have the same impact as the musical rendition. Most people listen to radio stations that play music, most Youtube videos with over 100 million views are songs, movies and shows have a lot of music to set the mood for our emotions. Music can be used to manipulate our emotions, but it can also be used to touch our hearts. King David wrote many Psalms which are not only poetical in the Hebrew but many also had music so they would be sung by the Levites, temple musicians and the congregation. Psalms, by definition, are poems set to music.
Also, music has a way of changing the way we think, act and talk. In Ephesians 5, Paul writes, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” If you follow his line of reasoning, he is not emphasizing the sin of drunkenness; instead, he is teaching from it. We should not get drunk because alcohol puts us “under the influence”. It has the power make us irrationals, to arouse our anger, to say things that we would never say if we were sober and to do things that we would avoid when in our right mind. We are changed into another person … more like the devil. So, don’t get intoxicated on booze or drugs!
Instead, become intoxicated with the love of the Lord, the grace of Jesus and the Word of God. Others may think you are out of your mind because you are not acting like you anymore. In contrast to the drunkard, your thoughts are full of wisdom, you have peace, patience and kindness, you speak words of hope and healing, your actions are driven by humility, compassion, and service. You are changed into another person … more like Jesus. This is accomplished, in part, when we “speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Ephesians 5:19).
Music has power to calm a restless spirit. When King Saul rebelled against the Lord, an evil spirit inhabited him and his spirit was provoked. David was able to sooth Saul’s vexation through music and song. Paul speaks about the “peace of God reigning in our hearts” (3:15) which may also be included in this contest of singing to one another.
Since there is no doubt that “singing to one another” is very important, it would make sense that we would make this a part of our corporate worship. However, we would be hard pressed to think that this is all that Paul had in mind since, in the context of Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5, he is not just speaking of the Sunday meeting gathering. It would be appropriate to sing whenever or wherever it would encourage, teach and strengthen others and ourselves. We should also regularly sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs when we are by ourselves. May we take advantage of modern audio, video, radio a cappella Christian music that we can access anywhere (record it digitally to our device or find it on-line) for instant playback.
If it is true that music makes an impression in our life, moves our heart and soul, instructs and leads our thinking and impacts those around us, the important question is: “what kind of music do I listen to all week long?” In my car, through my earbuds, in the kitchen or workshop, YouTube videos, some might even still listen to records, cassettes or 8-tracks. Is it worldly music about drinking, drugs, sexual encounters, anger, bitterness, violence, revenge, profanity? Paul tells us “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:3-4) Some of us need to add some new songs and delete some old music from our listening library so that we can be filled with the Word of God and not the lies of the world.
The Lord likes singing. He not only enjoys hearing us sing our praises to Him, thanksgiving for all He has done, our testimony of redemption and our resolution to follow, but He likes to sing. When we are struggling with trials, discouraged over circumstances, or suffering through the pains of life, God sings. Even in our times of victory and celebration, God is rejoicing with us. It is always encouraging to remember that “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).
It is important that you sing such songs because they are changing you into the person that you want to be. Keep singing. Encourage others with your song. Join with others who sing your song. Learn a new song that will continue to teach, encourage and motivate you to grow even more.
So ‘choose ye today’ what song(s) will be on your playlist. Do yours belong up there alongside the “Song of Moses” and “of the Lamb” (Revelation 15:3)? Or do they serve the will of the dragon?
Maybe it is time for a whole new playlist and not just a shuffle.
Royal Oak, Michigan
