THE MASSA OR BURDEN OF THE CHIEF MUSICIAN-part 4

THE MASSA OR BURDEN OF THE CHIEF MUSICIAN-part 4

            It is my firm belief that the earnest Christian musician who has a life in the Spirit can and does have the responsibilities mentioned above.  1Cointhians 2:13 states, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual”, and verse 16, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”  The reason that earnest Christian musicians are different from others that casually lead church music programs is explained in1Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

            Spiritual discernment is not a popular, understood or much believed topic.  Many church musicians have been influenced by humanistic music educators who have taught them that all music and musicing belongs to the musicer.  The concept that all music and musicing must come under the Lordship of Christ (whether it is done in or out of the church building), is many times not even considered by many church musicians.  Secular music education is not concerned with a life in the Spirit or submitting one’s music and musicing to the control of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, although these church musicians are many times not in opposition to such belief, they are simply ignorant of the fact that this truth exists and is taught in the Bible.  When was the last lecture or sermon that you have heard on the topic of spiritual discernment, let alone a sermon on spiritual discernment in one’s musicing?  Now back to Chenaniah,  He had spiritual discernment concerning his musicing and this “burden for song” was borne in upon him from God.  Therefore, I believe that God will require no less of Christian musicians in this century.