I'm going to write up this note not to be critical, but rather to point out this glaring inconsistency which plagues our churches. Colossians 3:16 tells us that the songs we sing "teach us." The problem is that some of our songs are teaching heresy, and we as a church are singing them without any thought for what they're actually saying.

First, we sang "One Thing Remains" which is positively awesome. It is a song clearly rooted in New Testament truth, and it sings forth this truth in FAITH.

"Higher than the mountains that I face

Stronger than the power of the grave This song looks BACK to the Cross and Resurrection

Constant through the trial and the change This song talks about God's constant love

One thing remains

One thing remains

Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me

Note that in this song, God is the initiator. That he is generous, loving, kind.

On and one and on and on it goes

It overwhelms and satisfies my soul This song teaches that God's love in Christ is sufficient.

And I never ever have to be afraid

One thing remains

In death and in life I'm confident and covered by the power of your great love

My debt is paid there's nothing that can separate my heart from your great"

Note again, my debt is paid, nothing can separate me from God's love

Isn't that wonderful? In faith, we sing about the work of the Cross, God's constant love, the debt that's been paid, and how great God is. God is worshiped and his people are edified.

Then, we sang "Fall in This Place." This song was clearly written with an Old Testament mindset. It calls for God to do things which He has already done. It is, therefore, full of doubt. It does NOT believe the New Testament truths of Scripture which claim that God has ALREADY finished the work.

There were many people who were stretching forth their hands to God during this song. Pleadingly, though, not thankfully. That is sad seeing how that in Christ, God "has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3), and we are not lacking any good thing. Here are those lyrics:

"Take me to the place lord

Where there’s nothing else but me and you We are already in that place. Christ is our life.

Longing for your presence Christ dwells in our hearts by faith. His presence "NEVER leaves nor forsakes us."

I know that you are calling me to you If you are saved, God is NOT calling you to himself. He did that already.

Pre chorus

Here I stand

And long for your embrace This is a very common cry of the carnal Christian who walks by sight & feelings

Nothing else

Could ever take your place

Chorus

Come holy spirit The New Testament clearly teaches in Acts 2 that the Spirit came already. Live it by faith.

Fall in this place

I need more and more of you God has already given you the Son & the Spirit. You don't need more of God.

Fill me again with the power of your spirit We do need to walk in fullness, but this is achieved thru faith not doubtful pleading.

Lord i’m crying out for

More and more of you This would be more New Testament if it read, "I'm yielding more of myself to you."

Bridge

Lord i’m crying out for

More and more of you (oh)"

This second song literally made my wife cry. It puts the children of God in the place of beggars. It's underlying tone is that God gave stingily when he gave at the Cross and when he poured out the Spirit in Acts. It walks by sight and feelings, not by faith. It pleads with God to do what he has already done.

An Old Testament Levite might sing this song, but not a post-Resurrection believer. Do you know that when the Spirit "fell upon" the early church, the same Greek word is used for when the Father "fell upon" the returning prodigal son? It is the word for embrace. God has already embraced the church and HE HAS NEVER LET GO.

We ought to thank God for his great love, as the first song does, not plead with him to show his love, as the second song does. We ought to be worshiping God for his finished work, not pleading with him to do more.

These songs are teaching us older believers, and they are also teaching young believers who are learning about God through them. Are they learning the right things?

What do the songs teach in your church?