FUNERAL MUSIC?

(Friday Church News Notes, February 19, 2010, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) -

Recently a brother in Christ shared with me the following: “Some of my friends have described traditional sacred music as ‘funeral music,’ and the Lord has shown me that they are correct in one sense, and in one sense only. Good Christian music is supposed to help us mortify the flesh, to put it to death, so in that sense it should be ‘funeral music” as opposed to party music that appeals to the flesh.” This testimony rings true.

One problem with contemporary Christian music is that it does not bring spiritual conviction. It ministers good feelings more than holiness. It is dance music, not dying-to-self music. But if “funeral music” means “boring music,” it is only boring to those who have spoiled their appetite by the world’s pop music or boring when it is sung in a lifeless manner in a dead church.

http://wayoflife.org/files/b072f508457975c03af0057bc56ac51d-515.html

Philippians 1:27

At the store the other day I saw a CD collection of Johnny Cash reading the Gospel According to John in which he also sings some hymns. I also saw a couple collections of Elvis Presley singing hymns.

I would not encourage anyone to buy these.

“Why?” you may ask, “Both men are singing songs that praise God.” That may be, but did their lives praise God? The drugs, the alcohol, the debauchery does not demonstrate a life that is pleasing to God. The words are important, but if the words are delivered by an unrepentant man, then the words lose their effect.

Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Salt adds flavor to food, but if the salt has lost its savor — it has lost its flavor and will actually decrease or hurt the flavor of the food. Likewise, when Elvis Presley is singing Amazing Grace does it really have the same effect on the hearer when they know the lifestyle he led? Elvis Presley may have sung Amazing Grace, but did he really understand what God’s grace means?

There is a story that says that Elvis wore a cross and a Star of David on a chain. When he was asked why, Elvis explained that he wore both because he “did not want to miss Heaven on a technicality.” There is no “technicality” with God’s grace — you either have it or you do not.

The message may be wonderful and true, but if the messenger is not right with God, the message loses its savor.