What God Taught Me About Judging a Worship Style I Didn’t Like
Posted: Sunday, August 28, 2011
by Joel Kontinen
http://joelkontinen.blogspot.com/
Recently, I visited a Charismatic church where I had never been before. The service was quite unlike the ones I was used to, the worship leaders played their music too loud, and a couple of other elements were also distracting me. In addition, a friend of mine had told me some negative things about “extreme” Charismatic churches, including this one, so this caused me to take a somewhat critical attitude to that what was happening around me.
Now, in spite of the rather unfamiliar way of giving praise to God, I could sense the presence of His Spirit in the church, the same presence I had felt in the church I attend regularly. Obviously, God’s view of what was happening in the congregation differed from mine.
Then, in the midst of a worship song I was suddenly reminded of the words, “Who are you to judge another’s servant?” (Romans 14:4, NKJV). I realised that God was speaking to me through His Word, showing me that my attitude was not what He wanted it to be.
It was only when I realised that my attitude called for repentance, I felt more blessed than I had been in any worship service for years – amidst Christian brothers and sisters who were worshipping the same Lord I did, although in a way that felt a bit strange.
Later, at home I just had to read the context of the verse God had reminded me of. In Romans 14:10-13 the apostle Paul wrote:
“But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: ’As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore.” (NKJV).
“Knowing” that our ways are the best possible ones is not a recent invention. When Job’s three friends came to comfort him, they actually caused him more distress with their all-knowing advice so that poor old Job had to say: “No doubt you are the people, And wisdom will die with you!”
No, we do not have all the wisdom. We are fallible people and all too hastily judge others, often forgetting that we are called to bless and not to judge our brothers and sisters for whom Christ also died.
This Article has been viewed 492 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Amen. Don't cha just love it when God humbles us? No matter our method of comfort during worship, if they focus is Jesus and what He did for us, it's a good thing. I often wonder what the style of worship will be in heaven. We read in Revelation of the stringed instruments. I can't wait :-) Thanks for sharing what you learned. It's a great reminder for all of us. I learned this same lesson about 16 years ago, when I left my home church in CA and moved to the back country of Oregon. "Church" was quite different. Who plays a banjo in worship?! :-)
Thanks, Teresa. It doesn't feel so good while its happening, but afterwards... Actually, banjo in worship sounds nice.Great article. When we do NOT put God in a box, then it let's us live outside the box, too. Freedom in worship is what allows miracles to thrive. Blessings. Why not a banjo? The last three chapters of Psalms gives us a picture of worship God loves.Thanks. I've probably had a too intellectual view of what is acceptable worship and what is not, but hopefully I've learnt something. Yes, I'd definitely want to hear someone play the banjo in worship.Growing up in Southern California, the banjo was not something I ever heard. I love the sound of brass instruments the most. I was accustomed to acoustic guitars, cymbals, chimes, and drums during worship in song. Southern California to a little country church was a huge challenge, but a good one. The banjo ended up being a part of my life for 14 years. Worship in spirit and in truth is what it comes down to, and if we are not doing this, then it doesn't matter if we use instruments or not. Lord help us. Blessings to you! I appreciate your words.Right. I was not initially put off by the instruments as such but by some other things going on, such as the habit of some people of marching and almost running along the aisles waving a huge flag. I didn't quite get their message. But there's nothing in the Bible that prohibits such things.
God bless you.
Great message. Too bad this is not required reading. Excellent thoughts. Well framed. Professional.Thanks for reading.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.