Religious music that is so common in the various denominations and is heard on almost all religious radio and television stations is different from the mindset of true Christians and has a different emphasis. The emphasis of most of the popular religious music today is emotionalism. True Christians should, indeed, feel emotion as the result of what they know about God and what He has expressed to them through his word in the Bible, but emotionalism is different. It has little connection with what one knows, but is emotion for emotion’s sake, and is promoted by expressions of praise that are repeated almost endlessly.
One cannot help but reflect concerning what would happen to all the emotionalism of modern religion if it were faced with armaments and threats of death. Such sentimentalism would, of course, melt like ice in the noon-day sun. Those who know God’s word or sincerely seek to know it, tend to be discouraged by such displays of emotion for emotion’s sake, and perhaps become discouraged and declare that religion is shallow and fake, having very little relationship to real life and its problems. (After not all of life’s problems are solved by saying, “glory to God” “hallelujah” and “amen.”)
When rational people observe religious people singing, shutting their eyes, clapping their hands, repeating phrases, and moving their heads side to side as if they were under the influence of some intoxicating drug or hallucinogen, they cannot but doubt the usefulness of such “religion.” True religion is much more related to life. The following verses show that relationship clearly:
James 1:26-27 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Religion is not something that we practice in a dimly lighted room with the music going and our hands in the air, it is a way of life, it has a price; it costs us everything! Luke 14:26-27 records the words of Jesus:
26 If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
Speaking of this price is not popular, and does not tend to attract large gatherings nor create “mega-churches.” It is interesting to note that it was precisely when crowds were following Him, that Jesus spoke these words. He knew that what he called people to do would never be “popular.” You will remember also these words of Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14:
13 Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
People naturally tend to look for what is easy, what will cost them less, so naturally, many will not truly follow Christ. But, the devil offers a way that looks and feels religious, and does not require much change in the person’s life. Religion becomes, not a life-changing force, but a spare wheel, an emotional aid to escape the hurts and difficulties of life. But, it is artificial, and will not help us when we really need it. It will not create a real relationship with God, and it will not solve life’s problems; problems that can only be solved by paying the price and truly giving our life in obedience God.