Paul said Christians need to admonish one another. That might sound harsh. But he wrote this in his letter to the Colossians: “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.”
But don’t misunderstand Paul’s meaning when he said to admonish one another.
On the surface, it might sound like he’s telling us to, according to the dictionary:
- give someone a telling-off
- give someone a dressing-down
- bawl out
- blow up
- lay into
- give someone an earful
- rap over the knuckles
- slap someone’s wrist
But check that verse again. Because Paul said to first let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. Then he said, teaching AND admonishing one another. And then look at his recommended method. You should use psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. And you should sing with Grace in your heart to the Lord.
So, does that sound like you’re telling someone off? Or like you gotta bawl somebody out? Or give someone an earful while you slap their wrist?
Nay, Nay, I say.
I know when I sing with grace, it doesn’t mean I don’t convey a strong (and sometimes convicting) message. In fact, quite the contrary. Because words and music shouldn’t be just all about peace, love, and joy.
No, singing with grace sometimes needs to include rebuke.
For example, when you receive a critique on something you’ve written, you have an opportunity to review and improve your writing. While it’s true, the critic might be wrong (they often are), it’s still another set of possibly more objective eyes. And their perspective might give you a clearer way to get your message across.
That’s what I do when I sing with grace about the Grace I’ve received from Jesus.
I love to be creative. But I also prefer to tell it like it is. And that means, sometimes, I’ve gotta take that admonish one another part seriously. For example, I’ve sung against abortion with words fairly harsh words like these:
It should be so easy to just see we’re not free
As long as the innocent die.
To say that it’s legal we spit on the eagle
That stands for what we once held high.
Then there’s my song called “You Just Don’t Get It.”
It’s about trying to be your own king:
Well you idolize with your idle eyes.
Your body wants what it wants, and you let it.
You identify what you deify.
You’ll see the kingdom, but you just don’t get it.
You can admonish me with your own psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs if you truly believe I need it. Or simply drop me an email through the form, below. And tell me why you don’t agree with me. Or even why you do. When you do, I’ll send you some songs and a rhyming ebook for little kids. So, what do you have to lose?
Get my Daily Devotional delivered to your inbox for free.
It’s good stuff based on the power of God’s love. And, I’ll send you download links to music and The Very First 6 Days (a rhyming book for kids about the creation week) right away. Kids from 3 to 103 can enjoy these fun goodies. Just add your email to the form and let’s connect right away.
Stay tuned,
