Singing has become more of a performance than worship because most churches have lost any concept of biblical singing. Singing was not intended to be something performed by the few to be witnessed by the multitudes. All of God’s people ought to sing, but how shall we sing? According to 1 Chronicles 13:8, God’s people should worship the Lord in song “with all their might.” In agreement with that passage, the Bible suggests that God’s people should be singing aloud (Nehemiah 12:42; Psalm 51:14). This is further confirmed when the Bible likens singing to a breaking forth (Isaiah 14:7). This breaking forth should come from an overflowing heart (Ephesians 5:19).
Throughout history, various motives have moved men to sing unto the Lord. Some men sang as a testimony of some specific thing God had done for them (Exodus 15:1; Psalm 126:1-2). Others sang in order to teach truths set forth in the word of God (Colossians 3:16; Psalm 101:1). Some even sang songs that would testify against them in times of disobedience (Deuteronomy 31:19). Though some things have changed throughout history, God’s people still should sing songs of personal testimony like My Jesus, I Love Thee; songs that teach like Holy and Reverend Is the Name; and songs that witness against disobedience like He Was Not Willing.
God gave us the Bible to serve as our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. This certainly includes the types of songs that should be sung. In fact, the Bible contains an entire book of songs, the Book of Psalms. According to Colossians 3:16, the psalms is only one of three categories of songs to be sung by New Testament believers. Basically, psalms are scriptures set to musick, hymns are doctrinal songs speaking specifically of the Lord, and spiritual songs deal with the Christian life and practice. A diligent study of history yields evidence that God’s people have been singing songs from each of these categories since the church’s inception.
Singing may involve one person, but there are always a minimum of two parties involved in any song: the person singing and the person receiving the song. Exodus 15:1, among many other passages, teaches that God’s people are to sing “unto the LORD.” This indicates that a song is much like an offering to the Lord. The person singing offers the song and the offering is received by the Lord. Singing serves as an important act of praise and worship; however, modern Christianity has lost much of its focus. This especially applies to singing. Every week, individuals and groups in churches stand up in worship services and sing unto the people rather than to the Lord. This should not be the case. God’s people need refocused to learn that the singing should be “unto the LORD” and not man.
Rarely does man have the opportunity to participate in heavenly activity while still on earth. Singing is one of those rare events that enables the Christian a glimpse into a heavenly behaviour. Job chapter 38 sheds light on some of the events surrounding creation when it proclaims that “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:7). These spiritual beings saw the creation of God and could not help themselves but to burst into song. The origin of singing is heavenly, though it has been more often used in unholy ways. Not only is musick’s origin heavenly, but long after the world has sung its last song, heaven will continue to enjoy God’s gift of musick (Revelation 5:9). For this reason, God’s people should never take this for granted but enjoy this heavenly benefit as often as possible.
In John’s epistle to the elect lady and her children (2 John 1), he encouraged them to look to themselves so that he, and those with him, might not lose those things which they had wrought. In order for John to receive a full reward, those to whom he had ministered must take heed to their own service and their walk before the Lord. This line of thinking seems to be less emphasized today in many Bible-believing groups. However, it is a truth set forth by the scriptures. Paul reiterated this truth in Galatians 4:11 when he said, “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” In 1 Thessalonians 2:19, he declared that God’s people were his hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing. You might say that Paul concluded the matter when he asked, “are not ye my work in the Lord?” (1 Corinthians 9:1).
The Bible clearly points out that by God’s grace the apostle Paul laid the foundation which is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. All those who have come after the apostle Paul have built upon that foundation. It is with this in mind that Paul warned believers to take heed how they built upon the foundation. The foundation has been laid, and no other foundation can be laid, but each believer must carefully examine the means by which he builds upon Christ. Not only should believers take heed to their daily walk, but self-examination is also necessary in their manner of service for the Lord Jesus Christ. Each believer should search the scriptures to ensure that his efforts glorify the Lord. Far too much effort is self-serving and selfish and not God-centric. Self-examination helps define one’s motives.
Life is a journey. Oftentimes, people spend far too much time and strength traveling in the wrong direction. To some degree, this is the psalmist’s testimony. In Psalm 119:59, he says, “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.” At some point, the psalmist examined his “ways.” In doing so, he found that he was heading in a direction contrary to the will of God. Upon his consideration, he determined to turn his feet unto the Lord’s testimonies. Had he never taken the time to think upon his ways, he would never have repented and turned in the right direction. This truth is confirmed in Lamentations 3:40 where the Bible says, “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.” The Bible frequently warns man not to be deceived.
It has always been easier for man to see the problems in the lives of others. In fact, the problems we most easily identify in others are often the sins with which we personally struggle. Oftentimes, believers see these problems and immediately rush to rebuke or admonish those in error without considering their own lives first. According to Galatians 6:1, those overtaken in a fault should not be admonished until the restorer has first considered himself. The Bible says, “lest thou also be tempted.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 contains a similar principle and admonition: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Believers should not be easily deceived by their own conditions and must be willing to call their own standing into question first. Remember that those who have fallen should serve as a warning to every believer.
Self-examination serves as a tool for man to use to find out who and what he is. Though some preachers suggest that believers should never question their own salvation experience, the scripture encourages self-examination. If there are doubts, believers should certainly ask questions concerning the basis for their salvation. Was it based upon one’s feelings or solely upon the scriptures? They should ask what they did in order to be saved. Did they join a church, do some penitent work, or did they call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by faith as dictated by the scriptures? They should ask about the effects of their salvation. Have they seen a change of heart, or are they the same that they were before trusting Christ as Saviour?
