The
church I am attending uses contemporary Christian songs for the music portion
of the worship services on Sunday. The
pastor has explained that the church wants to attract young people, and that
winning the next generation to Christ is important if the church is to survive
in the future. This is becoming common
practice in many churches.
I
agree with using contemporary Christian music for praise and worship, first to
attract younger people to church, but also because contemporary Christian music
can be a blessing to persons of all ages … if you let it, and are careful to
select songs that are doctrinally correct.
Nevertheless, some of the older people complain. So, our church includes an older hymn on many
Sundays.
I
think it is a bit selfish to fuss over whether the music ministry of the church
is contemporary or traditional. To the
older folks who are being closed-minded about contemporary music, I will say
along with Don Francisco, “Just because you don’t like it, don’t mean it’s a
sin.” (see Ephesians 6:4) However, the older hymns are a blessing, and
it is good to include them in the music service, too. So, to the younger folks I would urge that
due respect be shown to their elders. (see Ephesians 6:1-3)
Last
Sunday, we sang the hymn “It is Well With My Soul,” by Horatio Spafford
(lyrics) and Philip Bliss (music). (1876) It was written at a time of overwhelming tragedy
for Spafford, and it is a witness to the strength we find in Christ, no matter
what our circumstances.
The
second stanza spoke to me very personally, and I would like to share it with
you:
My sin – O the joy of this glorious
thought – my sin not in
part, but the whole, Is nailed to
the cross, and I bear it no more:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O
my soul!
I
have been forgiven much, and the heavy burden I was carrying from the way I was
living has been lifted from my shoulders by Christ Jesus, our Savior. I am very grateful to my Master:
Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to
dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the
table. And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when
she learned that He was reclining at the table in the
Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing
behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet
with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His
feet and anointing them with the perfume. Now when the Pharisee who had
invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would
know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is
a sinner.”
And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say
it, Teacher.” “A moneylender had two debtors:
one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. “When they were unable
to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him
more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave
more.” And He said to him, “You have judged
correctly.” Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me
no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them
with her hair. “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in,
has not ceased to kiss My feet. “You did not anoint My head with oil, but
she anointed My feet with perfume. “For this reason I say to you, her
sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is
forgiven little, loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” Those who
were reclining at the table with Him began to say to
themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” And
He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go
in peace.” (Luke 7:36-50 NASB) *
* biblehub.com/nasb/luke/7.htm
