Someone Worth Dying For?

There's a song on the radio right now called "Someone Worth Dying For".  While I really enjoy the band that sang the song (they did a song with Lecrae), I have significant issue with message of the song.

It's "worth it" when the something gained is of greater value than the something that's been given up. In order for us to be worth dying for, it must mean that 1) we have worth apart from God and 2) there's something that God doesn't have.

The fact is that there is nothing God doesn't have.  Everything that exists, from wealth to beauty to your soul, was created by God out of nothing. God can't gain anything.  In Him is everything. If there was anything that God ever lacked, he could just speak it into existence; he doesn't need to trade his life for it.

Also, compared to God we aren't worth anything.  The Bible makes it clear that when Christ died, it was in spite of our worthlessness, not because of our worth.  Psalm 8:4 says "What is man that you are mindful of him?" Romans 5 talks about how some people would give their lives for a a good man, but only God would give his life for his enemies. 

The thing that makes the gospel so incredible is that he died for us when we weren't worth dying for.  That's beautiful.  I have eternal life, not because I deserve it, but simply because Christ loves me enough to give it to me. 

The only reason I have any worth at all is because of Christ.

The Morality of Music

There are a few people whom I love and respect that believe with all of their hearts that certain types of modern music, such as rock and rap, are in and of themselves morally wrong.  I'm writing this in order to explain 1) why I believe that all music is glorifying to God and 2) what kind of music we should use in the church.

So, is music inherrently wrong?

1. God created everything that exists, both "visible and invisible".  - Colossians 1:16

2. Nothing else is capable of true creation.  - John 1:3

3. God's creation is meant to glorify Him. - Psalm 19:1

3. All music is part of God's creation.

4. All music glorifies God.

Why does rock and rap seem to go along so well with worldliness?
1. We live in a fallen world, where good things like sex, drugs, and alcohol can be easily twisted and used for things they weren't intended for.
2. It's impossible for any form of music to be performed or written by any person who isn't a sinner.

What kind of music should we use in the church?
1.  As all music was created by God, we should be open to using all music in worship.
2. We should be aware that it's easy for any music in church (from classical to southern gospel to rock) to turn into a performance instead of worship.
3. We should be aware of what causes our brother to fall into sin, and avoid that in public worship.

The Knowledge of the Holy

I've been doing a study through A.W. Tozer's The Knowledge of the Holy at our local rescue mission.  One thing I've been struck with is that God is always the ultimate possessor of any and all good attributes.  He isn't just really big; he is infinite.  He isn't just loving; love finds its definition in him.  He isn't just holy; he can't stand even the smallest sin.

I realize this might not blow your mind, but right now (12:20 in the morning) it's blowing mine.  I can't even come close to the greatness of this God, but he still loves me.

Legalism and License

It’s basic Christian nature to go one of two ways on the issue of questionable things. The first holds that certain things are morally wrong because they aren’t necessarily a good idea.  The second recognizes that those same things aren’t morally wrong, but don’t recognize that doing them might not necessarily be a good idea.

This is why Paul slaps us in the face with 1 Corinthians 6:12.

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.

Just because something isn’t inherently wrong doesn’t necessarily make it a good idea, and just because something isn’t a good idea doesn’t make it morally wrong.