Musicing God’s Word

          Romans 10:17 teaches, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  In his comments on verse seventeen Adam Clarke wrote, “Preaching the Gospel is the ordinary means of salvation; faith in Christ is the result of hearing the word, the doctrine of God preached. Preaching, God sends; if heard attentively, faith will be produced; and if they believe the report, the arm of the Lord will be revealed in their salvation.”  Albert Barnes gave further explanation of this verse when he wrote, “When it is said that faith cometh by hearing, it is not meant that all who hear actually believe, for that is not true; but that faith does not exist unless there is a message, or report, to be heard or believed. It cannot come otherwise than by such a message; in other words, unless there is something made known to be believed. And this shows us at once the importance of the message, and the fact that men are converted by the instrumentality of truth, and of truth only.”

          There is no doubt that the Bible teaches Christians in Hebrews 4:12 the importance of utilizing Scripture, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Therefore, Christian musicians must be sure to saturate their musicing with the Word of God.  Col 3:16, admonishes Christian musicians to “ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  What is on the inside comes out!  The Greek word plousious (4146) which was translated richly in the AV means copiously, abundantly, i.e., to be crammed full of God’s Word.

Thought for the Day

Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”