I just don’t understand how we can codify such an entrenched position for a preferential way of singing based on 16.
Colossians 3:16 (NCV) Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and instruct each other by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Neither do I understand how we can be so mean and spiteful to those who choose or prefer one style of singing over another; one type of song over another. Whatever happened to 12-14?
Colossians 3:12-14 (NCV) God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So always do these things: Show mercy to others, be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Get along with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. Do all these things; but most important, love each other. Love is what holds you all together in perfect unity.
Does it make sense to construct a doctrinal position from 16 and completely ignore 12-14? What about 15?
Colossians 3:15 (NCV) Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful.
Peace in the body of Christ is never achieved by everyone doing it my way. Talk about faulty math! To camp out in 16 and disregard 12-14 makes 15 impossible. Not to mention 17!
Colossians 3:17 (NCV) Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.
Being true to the spirit (and letter) of 16 requires me to approach singing (with or without an instrument) firmly grounded in 12-14 to experience 15 and fulfill 17. I’m not much of a math guy so my numbers may not add up.
