The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ephesians 5:15-21, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”

The passage above is comprised of happy, energetic, alert and solemn music –music that comports with the occasion. It was not merely music for music’s sake. Rather, it was music that on solemn occasions soothed the soul. It was also music that excited the soul as it
Identified with the closeness of Christ and the selfless sacrifice on the Cross for our sins.

A psalm was harp music, often associated with prayer. A hymn praises and honors the LORD. A spiritual song relates closely to the human spirit, the seat of the moral or spiritual nature. It is always there for the spiritual benefit of the entire congregation.

Music within the Church should always be spiritual, appropriate, and inclusive of the entire
congregation. It is never there for the sole benefit of the lead singers or those who play accompaniment for them. Rather, it should lift the moral spirit within those who comprise
the worshipping congregation.

Endeavor to remember these notations when you next engage in congregational singing.
What we sing should always praise the LORD Whom we serve. And the manner of our
singing should always and only endeavor to praise Christ Jesus. The Father is glorified when His Son is exalted; and when His Son is exalted, we have acknowledged and praised the Father. Both Father and Son are deserving; so, Praise each of them!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom