We took a break from our study of Living Spiritually in the Material World last Sunday night to look at an article from Touchstone that addressed the need to make certain our thoughts and songs about God include an adequate picture of His glory and majesty. We had spent a couple of weeks being reminded how important it is to keep God in the forefront of our mind, and the chapter we’ll be going to this Sunday is on how God speaks to us, but it’s very important that our picture of God is accurate.
In a culture that focuses on individual needs, and views the purpose of life as having our felt needs met and feeling good, it’s tempting for churches to begin focusing more on what God can do for us than on who He is.
Religious freedom allows us the freedom to worship, but it also means we have the freedom of religious choice. And when religious choice is available, there’s a tendency for churches to become little more than spiritual boutiques that present themselves as the answer to needs and desires. And there is a tendency to sing songs that focus more on what God does for us than who He is.
The author was especially critical of a popular religious song that makes it possible to view God as nothing more than a therapist, a reassuring friend, or even a boyfriend who is always there and who never says no. While that may be true, it’s obviously not wrong to think of God as our friend.
In fact, we sang What a Friend We Have in Jesus on our hymn singing Sunday. That wasn’t, however, the only hymn we sang. Carol informed me that we actually sang 22 hymns, and Duane made sure we sang the hymn he always asks for, Holy, Holy, Holy!
Abraham was known as a friend of God, and by His grace we can all be. But we must never forget that our friend is more than a friend. He is the Lord God Almighty!
God Bless, Rick
Chatham Christian Church 