What Does The Bible Say About It?
Many today are confused as to what the Bible says and teaches on various subjects. As a result, many have been deceived into thinking they are saved when they are actually still lost in sin. Some, because they misunderstand the teaching in God’s Word, even though they have been baptized into Christ, have become complacent. This too is a grave danger as one who is not “working out their salvation” (Philippians 2:12) is in danger of losing their soul. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Often, folks remember the words and melodies of songs, and the teaching contained in the song, long after the preaching is concluded and the service is over. That is another reason to always strive to sing scriptural songs as well as preach scriptural sermons. We would never want to preach right, and then sing it wrong, would we? Of course not! The Spirit had the apostle Paul admonish the Ephesus brethren in Ephesians 5:15-16 as they walked, to do so carefully and watching all around as they lived their daily lives. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Then the Spirit, through Paul, wrote to tell them a great way to remember the teachings of the Bible so they could live their lives in accordance to it. Ephesians 5:19 is one place where we find this Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Another place this is found is in Colossians 3:16-17. In these particular verses, the Word of God is identified as that which is to guide one that is striving to serve God. Can one not teach the Bible in preaching as well as in song? But the song would have to be a “spiritual” song to accomplish this. 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. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
One way to ensure this is for Christians to write “scriptural” spiritual songs that can be used to teach. Too many “church” songs are written by those who do not rightly divide God’s Word. Some Christians do have the talent to put scripture to music, or spiritual teaching in song. Below is one such effort that teaches a number of biblical things, including what we read in 2Timothy 2:15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. These words were written by my Father-in-Law. O.D. Wilson about thirty years ago. It can be sung to the tune of: “Rescue the Perishing”, although there is nothing “scripturally” wrong with that song.
RIGHTLY DIVIDE IT
1- Wonders were in the church, God blessed and used them,
They served a purpose & then passed away.
Tongues were to pass away. Paul even said when.
The “perfect” came and is now here to stay.
2- To whom and about what, Rules for division.
God’s Word will not with itself disagree.
Rightly dividing it with such precision,
It makes good sense – Absolute harmony.
3- Rightly divide the Word, Stay with the context;
Literal language, or figures of speech.
God’s Word is only truth, Never a pretext.
Rightly divide it each time that you teach.
Chorus- Rightly divide the Word, God will approve you.
It is the only way; Let it save you.
What does the Bible say about it? Whether it be the miracles of the early church and when they would cease, the day of worship, the type of worship, or God’s plan for the salvation of souls, and the way in which the saved must continue to live, all scripture must be rightly divided to see the truth that God has presented in His Word.
Let us not become complacent in our knowledge or our service to God. If we do, we will lose our souls for eternity. Study God’s Word daily so you cannot be deceived by the doctrines of men. If we truly know what God’s Word says as we rightly divide it, we can better lead lost souls to Christ and in that way help the church to grow numerically and spiritually. This is what God has said about it in the Bible.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
