let the word of Christ dwell in you... singing

To the Ephesus church, Paul encouraged believers to "be filled with the Spirit," and then sing. To the Colosse church, Paul's words regarding "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" were nearly the same, but were preceded by an exhortation to "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom..." (Colossians 3:16).

In both epistles, Paul seems less concerned about the song list than he is about the spiritual condition of the congregation singing the songs. Being filled with the Spirit and being filled with the Word of God fosters a worship environment that is dynamic and edifying.

Who should be edified through songs, hymns, and spiritual songs? Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:14-19 concludes with a statement ascribing glory to the Lord: "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Giving glory and praise to God should be the pinnacle of our singing in the church! "...With thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16). "...Making melody to the Lord with all your heart." (Ephesians 5:19). When music is not Christ-centered -- when He is not the consuming reason for our songs -- the "praise" becomes routine, predictable, and not much more than a bland sort of liturgical exercise.

Paul spoke of singing "to God." He would have the church "making melody to the Lord." If believers sing only to themselves, they fail to ascend to the pinnacle of praise. Paul's approach to singing in the church followed a pattern, as evidenced by his writing to two separate church congregations:

1. Embrace and Demonstrate a Spirit-Filled, Word-of-Christ-Indwelt Reality
2. Address -- Teach and Admonish -- One Another in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
3. Sing and Make Melody -- With Thankfulness -- Directly to the Lord

In my next post, I'll discuss the 'horizontal' and 'vertical' aspects of music and praise in the church -- addressing "one another" and addressing "the Lord."

be filled with the Spirit... singing

When the Apostle Paul exhorted the church in Ephesus to "be filled with the Spirit...," he was constrasting this Spirit-filled potential with drunkenness. "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit..." (Ephesians 5:18).

The thought here is that one may give himself over to the Spirit of God -- to be wholly influenced and directed. Paul's vision is that the church experience this Spirit-filled blessing together as a congregation of believers, for they are to sing together, "...addressing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs" (Eph. 5:19).

I think it is important to note that the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs flowed out from the congregation's willingness to yield themselves fully to the Holy Spirit. This sense of abandonment to God stands in direct contrast to the losing of oneself in strong drink. Being willing to surrender fully to the rich working of God's Spirit seems to be the precursor to glorious music in the church.

In my next post, I'll touch on Paul's similar message to the Colossian church, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly... singing!"