Distinctly Different
Mrs. Perry wrote this article and I thought you would enjoy it!
I don’t think I know anyone who wants to be called “different,” do you? We like to be “in style,” to be “cool,” and to be involved in “popular activities” (whether it be a sport or a hobby). To be called “different” sounds like we’re odd or strange.
As Christians, however, we are to be different— distinctly different from the world! Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” In other words, we need to be changed from the inside out! We know from other Scripture passages that what we put in our hearts and minds will eventually come out through our mouth or through our actions. By focusing on who Christ is and how we need to be like Him, we will be better equipped to discern what music is good and acceptable to God!
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15–17).
Isn’t this a harsh sounding passage? It’s quite clear though in what it’s saying. Things that belong to the world or have close associations with the world are to be tossed aside by the Christian. Christians need to cling to the Word of God to have the strength set the desires of the world aside. The world is constantly trying to pull us away from the things of God by enticing us with it’s pleasures (whether it be fashions, new toys, cell phones, cars, prestige, position, education).
What our finite minds have difficulty comprehending is the eternal blessings that are ahead for those who persevere and the futility of the world’s trinkets in their short-lived existence. We’re so focused on the here and now that we can’t see what’s ahead! We need to set our sight on eternal things and realize the world’s toys will pass away as if they never existed.
I’ve done a lot of beating around the bush, haven’t I? What I’m getting at is that determining a biblical basis for music and instruments is based on principle. You won’t find passages saying one instrument is good or bad or a song is good or bad, but you will find a passel of passages dealing with music and instruments setting down principles to determine what music will be pleasing to God.
From the verses mentioned earlier, it’s important that our music and specifically Westerville Bible Church’s music is not tainted by the word’s idea of music. Our music needs to be distinctly different from the world’s. It needs to sound different. It needs to have different lyrics. It needs to be different.
I don’t think I know anyone who wants to be called “different,” do you? We like to be “in style,” to be “cool,” and to be involved in “popular activities” (whether it be a sport or a hobby). To be called “different” sounds like we’re odd or strange.
As Christians, however, we are to be different— distinctly different from the world! Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” In other words, we need to be changed from the inside out! We know from other Scripture passages that what we put in our hearts and minds will eventually come out through our mouth or through our actions. By focusing on who Christ is and how we need to be like Him, we will be better equipped to discern what music is good and acceptable to God!
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15–17).
Isn’t this a harsh sounding passage? It’s quite clear though in what it’s saying. Things that belong to the world or have close associations with the world are to be tossed aside by the Christian. Christians need to cling to the Word of God to have the strength set the desires of the world aside. The world is constantly trying to pull us away from the things of God by enticing us with it’s pleasures (whether it be fashions, new toys, cell phones, cars, prestige, position, education).
What our finite minds have difficulty comprehending is the eternal blessings that are ahead for those who persevere and the futility of the world’s trinkets in their short-lived existence. We’re so focused on the here and now that we can’t see what’s ahead! We need to set our sight on eternal things and realize the world’s toys will pass away as if they never existed.
I’ve done a lot of beating around the bush, haven’t I? What I’m getting at is that determining a biblical basis for music and instruments is based on principle. You won’t find passages saying one instrument is good or bad or a song is good or bad, but you will find a passel of passages dealing with music and instruments setting down principles to determine what music will be pleasing to God.
From the verses mentioned earlier, it’s important that our music and specifically Westerville Bible Church’s music is not tainted by the word’s idea of music. Our music needs to be distinctly different from the world’s. It needs to sound different. It needs to have different lyrics. It needs to be different.
posted by Mark Perry at 7:23 PM
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