A Christian's Song

I think a good song should stay with you. To stay with you, it should have at least these three components.

First a Christian song should sound good to you. What sounds good is subjective of course and that's why I say it must sound good to you. It's like physical attraction in a relationship...it's the thing that get's your attention first. (1 Cor. 14:7)

Second, a Christian song should speak the truth to you and your life in general. What the song says will help it stick in your mind. Life is lived "between the ears". The story it tells of experience, truth or relevant happenings, makes the song personally meaningful to you. (1 Cor. 14:10-11)

Third, it should seek to save. Salvation has as a meaning not only the power to save but also the idea of deliverance. A song should have some explicit or implicit reference to God's ability to deliver on His promises (by His Spirit move man, circumstances, things...whatever He has to move, to get yes and amen into your life) . It is through His promises that we are able to participate in the divine nature that He has so graciously given us (1 Pet. 1:3-4). Our nature being changed regarding how we perceive and live our lives is a direct result of His "presence" in our lives. Salvation is about us being with Him...Him being with us...in Spirit and Truth. The song must touch you where you live to be salvific. It should move you to the Pursuit and Praise of God. A Christian's song facilitates an encounter with the living God.

The song that sounds good to you provokes primarily a visceral response. That's ok. God wants it to sound good to you (1 Chr. 15:22). It becomes relevant based on your instincts and personal taste and "then" opens you to what it says. You then listen to hear what it says. You may eventually say of its message, "man that song is stupid but it has a nice beat/groove/ etc." That's why sounding good is not enough. Even though the intricacies of rhythm, harmony, melody and instrumentation may engage you at a more intellectual level, these alone still lack the transcendent power of the Holy Spirit and His ability to save, heal and deliver. The message and the presence of His spirit in and on the song is what makes the song relevant at the deepest level.

Some songs just sound good and we remember them based solely on that. No depth is intended or needed to enjoy that song. Other songs sound good AND speak truth that we can relate to. But there are some songs that have it all; they sound good, they speak to us and they are filled with His presence and power to save. The skillful sound, the words and the Spirit testify of the awesomeness of our Great God and His ability to step into our lives to save, heal and deliver.

Whatever your favorite song may be right now, search for the divine touch in it. Don't settle for sounds good only. Insist on God's presence ministering to you through His word and by His Spirit as deep calls to deep. Let's worship Him with our songs but let's continue to raise our expectations as we open ourselves to the music in our lives. May our songs be acceptable offerings of worship In Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:23-24)

Scripture References

1 Cor 14:7
7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? (NIV)

1 Cor 14:10-11
10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
(NIV)

1 Chr 15:22
22 Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it. (NIV)

2 Pet 1:3
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (NKJ)
4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (NKJ)

Ps 42:7
7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. (NIV)

John 4:23-24
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. (NIV)

Oliver Scott is the Associate Pastor for Worship at Sienna Ranch Baptist Church Missouri City, TX.