Article - Christian Walk And Worship
Prior to becoming Christians, the Ephesians walked “according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air”, but after becoming Christians they were to “walk as children of light”, producing the fruit of the Spirit and no longer having fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19; 5:8-14). This meant that they were no longer to be intoxicated with (fermented) wine (representing wasteful, fleshly lusts; compare James 1:21); but instead, they were to continue to be filled to full capacity “in spirit/Spirit” (that is, in spiritual matters and/or by God’s Spirit, Acts 2:38; 5:32; Romans 7:4-6; 8:5-17). Walking “in spirit/Spirit” includes worshiping together with fellow Christians “in spirit” and in truth (John 4:23-24; 1 Corinthians 14:15), whether it is during the first-day-of-the week worship (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2) or outside the Sunday worship assembly (Acts 16:25). Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 5:18-21 that Christians who walk worthily and are truly filled with God’s spirit/Spirit are to SPEAK (which excludes humming, clapping, playing, stomping, making instrumental sounds with the voice, etc.) TO ONE ANOTHER (which excludes choirs, duets, solos, etc.) IN PSALMS AND HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS (which are multiple words emphasizing the same idea, namely, spiritual songs; thus excluding secular songs; compare Ephesians 2:1; 5:2; 6:10), SINGING AND MAKING MELODY (which are multiple words emphasizing the same idea, namely, singing; thus excluding playing a mechanical instrument; compare Ephesians 3:17; 6:13-14, 14-15) IN YOUR HEART TO THE LORD, GIVING THANKS…TO GOD (which excludes singing spiritual songs as entertainment; instead it is to be for the purpose of praise, and edification: Colossians 3:16), SUBMITTING TO ONE ANOTHER IN FEAR OF GOD (compare, Philippians 2:12-13). Those who have heard God’s word, believed in Jesus (Ephesians 1:13), repented of their old walk of life (Ephesians 4:20-23) and have been sanctified and cleansed “with the washing of water” (Ephesians 5:26; Revelation 1:5; Acts 22:16) are to continue to be “filled in spirit/Spirit” by singing praises to God with fellow Christians without the accompaniment of mechanical instruments. May we always worship God His way and not ours as we walk in the light as Jesus is in the light, fellowshipping with one another (1 John 1:5-7).
This material is copyrighted by The Gospel of Christ and its authors. This information is free to use in its entirety without further consent, however, modifications should not be made without contacting mail@thegospelofchrist.com for permission. Any and all images contained herein are believed to be free for all distribution and content.