There is a natural tension in the type of songs we prefer to sing. Some prefer the classic hymns of past saints, while others prefer new songs with a modern style. Both are wonderfully used by God to draw us near to Him. In this, however, we must recall the previous lesson in this series about our attitude.
Church wars have been fought over music selection and the instruments involved. Traditionalist wanting nothing but the comfortable classics, while others seek the wind of the Spirit. In the current consumerism of Western culture, people seek out the church that suits their tastes. That includes considering the style of worship music.
Like many such tensions in the Bible, both have a point that is scripturally accurate. The Passover celebration is like the comforting, classic hymns. They are a remembrance of God’s ways. His faithfulness through generations. They tell the old, old story and eloquently remind us of God’s amazing grace. What is forgotten is that those same hymns were once new and edgy. Some were written in a time when worship singing was not the norm.
New songs give us a glimpse of how God is moving today. Their freshness invites us to consider the words carefully. They are like Peter’s sermon in Acts chapter 2, fresh, topical, but also rooted in the ancient truths of God’s Word.
Paul instructed an all of the above attitude to both the Ephesians and the Colossians, “speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord,” (Ephesians 5:19, CSB) And, “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:16, CSB) Many times, the Psalms encourage us to sing a new song. “Sing a new song to him; play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout.” (Psalm 33:3, CSB)
I titled this lesson “Fresh Wind.” It’s a reminder of John 3:8, “The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”” (John 3:8, CSB) What we are striving to catch in our worship is the fresh wind of the Spirit. The Spirit uses all the above to move our hearts. The truths of yesterday inform today. The vibrancy in our hearts is expressed in new ways and new songs. Every time of worship should be like a refreshing wind that renews and encourages our spirits.
I can’t tell you how many times (it is a lot) I went to worship practice, a small group gathering, or a Sunday service feeling worn out and tired. I would have rather stayed home. Yet, through the combination of worship, fellowship, and Word, I was refreshed and renewed by the end of the gathering.
We all have different preferences for worship. And, thankfully, God gave us a giant pallet to use. There is no perfect, always right answer. All is good, all is right if it is born of the Spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).
In this, we must have grace for one another. In a long section of 1st Corinthians, Paul addresses the controversy over eating meat sacrificed to idols (1st Corinthians 8-10). Both sides had a point, and the answer was to have grace for one another. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, CSB) So, whether you sing the classics or a brand new song or something in between, whatever you do, sing for the glory of God.
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