Why is this blog called Learn by Singing? Part Two

In my first post I set out to explain why I chose the title of this blog to be "Learn By Singing."  I failed.  I didn't realize there were a few other things that needed to be laid out as a foundation.  So I laid them bricks.  Now we get to dig into the central text of this blog: Colossians 3:16.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.


Paul is writing to the church in Colossae.  They had been struggling with false doctrines and wrong teachings, so Paul was writing to encourage the saints there to mature in their faith.  Chapter 3 focuses mainly on practical Christian living.  It is filled with commands on what to do and what not to do.  Now we get to the text at hand.  


First, Paul starts with a command: Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.  We know that the word of Christ is synonymous with the word of God from John 1.  Christ is the living word of God.  So we're dealing with God's word.  But we're not just told to casually read the Bible.  We're told that the word of God should be living in us.  But not just living in your heart as a temporary renter, but as a permanent owner of your heart, he is to richly live there.  But how?  What are some practical ways to accomplish this?


And here is where I get surprised.  I would think that the way for this to be accomplished would be through heavy doses of reading Scripture, meditating on it, memorizing it, etc.  And of course these things are vital to our Christian growth.  But instead of these tools, God provides another way: music.  AWHAAAT?!  I know, strange huh?  But that's what the text says.  The word of Christ is to richly dwell within us, and how is this done?  With all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.


The phrase "with all wisdom" indicates that such teaching and admonishing is not to be done haphazardly.  We are to be wise in how we do it.  Just as the pastor should not go to the pulpit unprepared, thinking he can just wing it, we need to come sober-mindedly before God's people, understanding the gravity of the responsibility of teaching the precepts of God through songs.  


This is why it's so important that we take care when we choose the songs we sing.  The songs should not be chosen because the music sounds good, or it'll make people feel good.  We are called primarily to teach and admonish (encourage, exhort) God's people through these songs.  I speak now to those that are in positions of leading music.  We need to take this ministry seriously!  We can't lazily throw a set together last minute and say that we honestly thought about peoples' sanctification and growing their love for God.  We must be more aware of what Scripture says about music.


Lastly, we look at the proper heart attitude of such singing: thankfulness.  And that should sum up our response to God.  He graciously made us, gave us life, patiently waited as we sinfully rebelled against him, and then he tidal-waved us with his undeserved love, gave us his Son, Jesus Christ, paid for our sins, purchased us from our slavery to sin, adopted us into his family, and now is preparing us for eternity with him.  Yes, genuine believers have EVERYTHING to be thankful for.


In closing, music is a wonderful gift from God.  Let's use it to build each other up and teach one another about God.  So, back to the initial question: why this title?  Because much truth can be learned, much encouragement to be gained, by the singing of God-honoring songs.