Newsletter Vol.3, #12—April 15, 2007

Matthew 10 ²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. ³⁰But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

God's Word: Can You Put Up With It?

by Steve Klein

Have you ever had a boss, or a teacher or a parent who got under your skin by constantly pointing out your faults, correcting you, and demanding that you do better?  If so, you may have found the situation very hard to put up with, especially if you were not personally motivated to perform well in your role as employee, student or child.  Most of us have a hard time putting up with correction and criticism unless we have a deep desire to improve.

It takes a little courage and determination to continue to look into the mirror every morning and see the numerous aspects of our appearance that need attention.  It would be easier to forego this morning ritual and just go about the day "as is." (From the looks of things, I

think that this must actually be the approach that a few young people in our society are taking.) Even so, it takes some determination to continue looking into the word of  God and allowing it to criticize and correct us. Like a mirror, the word of God reflects back to us images of our imperfections (James 1:23-25).  It is critical of us and it demands improvement.  But unless we want to improve, we won't put up with it for long -- we will either stop looking into it, or we will purposely put out of our minds the glaring faults it reveals.

In Hebrews 13:22 the inspired writer appeals to brethren to "bear with the word of exhortation."  The phrase "bear with" is translated from a Greek word that means to "put up with ... endure, forbear, suffer" (Strong's Dictionary).

Is there a Bible passage that causes you to cringe every time the preacher refers to it?  Is there a verse that you don't like to think about because when you do it makes you feel guilty or uncomfortable?  Are there parts of God's word that you have a hard time putting up with? If so, you have three choices: You can stop looking, you can choose to forget what you see, or you

can decide that you want to improve yourself and become fit for the kingdom of heaven.

-- Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, 2/13/2005

God Said "Sing"

by Warren Berkley

When people visit our assembly and express their curiosity about our vocal music, I reply with this simple expression of our conviction: God said "sing." I make it clear that the absence of the man-made instruments is not a matter of economics (cannot afford one) or preference (we just like to sing). It goes much deeper than any "church of Christ" or "restoration" heritage or tradition. It has to do with faith and our desire to follow God's instructions. We are convinced He said "sing."

When a man offers a gift to his wife, the considerate thing to do is to offer a gift that will please her. She is the recipient of the gift. I may want a rifle, a new computer or a truck. But if I'm going to give something to her that she will appreciate, I will select something I believe will please her, not me. I will take into consideration all I know of her, in particular, what she has said she likes and wants. My gift will be based on her will, not mine.

As God's people, we want to offer worship to Him in response to His greatness and grace to us. In offering that worship, what's important? What I want, or what He wants? You will agree, the most important thing is what God wants. The right course to take is to offer that worship to God that I know will please Him.

How can I find out what pleases Him? I can consult His Word! I don't need to even consider human preferences, denominational practices, historical precedence or majority desire. I do not need to bother myself with a "market study" or poll of human opinion. If I want to know what pleases God I can read what He has said about worship, determined to worship Him in spirit and truth (Jno.4:24; 2 Jno.9).

This quest takes me to the New Testament. I want to know what the apostles of Christ did, since these were the men through whom the will of God was conveyed (1 Cor.1:1; 1 Cor.2:10-12). The apostles -- in their practice and instruction -- endorsed only one kind of music in worship to God, vocal. If any instrument is involved at all it is only in the figurative sense, the heart (Eph.5:19).

Paul and Silas, "at midnight...were praying and singing hymns to God" (Acts 16:25). To the church at Corinth Paul said, "sing with the understanding" (1 Cor. 14:15). He instructed the saints at Ephesus: "speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph.5:19). In another place he wrote: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col.3:16). Is anyone cheerful? "Let him sing psalms" (Jas.5:13). (See also: Matt.26:30; Mark 14:26; Rom.15:9 & Heb.2:12.)

This clear and simple evidence demands the kind of admission you will read in the Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia (p.1163): "There is no record in the n.t. of the use of instruments in the musical worship of the church." Or in A History Of The Christian Church (p.112): "Singing formed an essential part of the Christian worship, but it was in unison and without musical accompaniment" (Lars P. Qualben). Other early historians and writers agree: "Simply singing is not agreeable to children (Jews), but singing with lifeless instruments and with dancing and clapping is. On this account the use of this kind of instruments and of others agreeable to children is removed from the songs of the churches, and there is left remaining simply singing" (Justin Martyr, 139 ad). Augustine describes the singing at Alexandria in 354 ad by saying "musical instruments were not used. The pipe, tabret, and harp here associate so intimately with the sensual heathen cults...it is easy to understand the prejudices against their use in the worship."

Strange isn't it? All the years of controversy; all the debates, disputes and division. Then you open your Bible and focus on what God said. There it is: God said "sing." Don't you think this is what He wants us to do?

Why did Noah use gopher wood in building the ark? God said "gopher wood." Why did Abraham leave his homeland and venture into Canaan? God said "go." Why did Joshua instruct the Israelites to march around Jericho? Because God said to do that. Why did the apostles wait in Jerusalem after Jesus ascended into heaven? That's what Jesus told them to do. Why do Christians today partake of the Lord's Supper on the first day of every week? God has communicated His will regarding this memorial in the New Testament.

So, why do we sing? God said "sing." This is serious because, "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son" (2 Jno.9).

-- Via The Susquehanna Sentinel, September 12, 2004