Scripture: Colossians 3:16
The word of Christ must live in you richly. Teach and challenge each other with all wisdom by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Thought for the Day: I’ve been pondering what Paul’s definition of the church would be. There are plenty of go-to passages that one might choose, but this one seems most interesting. Now some might do a quick reading and think it is all about singing and praising God in worship, yet if you read the passage carefully you will notice that singing has a purpose beyond simple gratitude toward God. It is one of the ways the word of Christ comes to reside/dwell within us. This music teaches and challenges us with the wisdom of Christ, which I would suggest is the Sermon on the Mount. If you remember, that’s the passage about loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us. It includes the challenging words of turning the other cheek and giving away sacrificially. Plenty of folks will not like where I have taken this as they want to gather for worship and sing and sing some more, without ever feeling the challenge (some translations say warning or admonishes). The Greek word is two words: to put in place -and- understanding. This week, I have been watching VBS here at the church. Let me give a big shout out to Tamika and her team of volunteers. Great work! But one thing is clear, music is an incredible teaching tool. It is not simply to make us happy or say thank you to God. It can be both of those, but its purpose in the life of the church is to teach the basic wisdom of Christ. It is “to put in place an understanding” of the Jesus-life that is all about receiving and sharing God’s unconditional love made real in Jesus.
Prayer: Whatever tools you need to get through this thick skull of mine, O Lord, use them. I desire for your life-message to dwell within me for the purpose of living your life-message. It will not come naturally or easy, but with you residing inside of me, all things are possible. Amen.
