I confess; I do like some contemporary Christian music. I like the upbeat tempo, the modern music feel to it, the uplifting lyrics and it is a great change of pace from most of what passes for music on the radio.
Yet, in so much of Christian contemporary music there is a great casualness about God; which I find mirrored in much of today's Christian culture. God is "cool" or "hip", God is someone's personal buddy, and half of the songs on the radio that are supposed to be about God could just as easily be love songs to your significant other. This disturbs me.
Yes, Jesus said, "I no longer call you servants .....but friends," (John 15:15) to His disciples. So many people use this verse to justify a casual, "buddy" style relationship with God. Yet that verse, in the context of the Scripture around it actually says, ""Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do the things which I command you. No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends: for all things that I heard from my Father I nave made Known unto you. Ye did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide." (John 15:13-16).
It is a wonderful and awe-inspiring thing when Christ, very God of very God, part of the Triune Godhead, says, "I have called you friends." To be a friend is to know someone's heart, to guard their interests, to uphold their reputation and keep their trust. To be a true friend is to value someone deeply, keep their best interests at the forefront, to share an intimacy of spirit. Jesus invites us to be His friends; by knowing His heart and doing the work which the Father gave unto Him, and He gives unto us.
This is not a casual "buddy" style friendship. If the King of Kings has called you "my friend" is does not mean that you can take His Word for granted, ignore His commandments, or treat Him with disrespect. When God offers you the title of friend, you stand amazed, humbled and awed. You guard that relationship with all you are worth, for you want to be worthy of the King's love and friendship. You strive to keep faith, to carry out His will and to represent Him as best you can. You honor such a relationship, you do not treat it as if it were common.
God is God. Almighty and Holy. Just and Powerful, Merciful and All Knowing. Creator and King. He is not the "buddy" you play pranks on, or joke about women with. He is not the "buddy" you can drop at a moment's notice and treat with disrespect.
God has chosen to call those who follow Him "friend." But He is still your Lord and King, and deserves your respect, fealty and love.
And that friendship comes with a price; notice the words above of Jesus, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." God may call you to lay down your life literally someday for His Word, but in our country it is more likely He's going to ask you to lay down your life in a hundred different ways. He has asked you to live a life of love; putting others before yourself. He has asked you to live a life of holiness; laying down the sinful things of this world. He has asked you to live a life of being a peace maker, in a society that values conflict. He has asked you to live a life of faithfulness, to Him, to your spouse, to your family and friends- laying aside a life of selfishness.
If you are His friend- if you are a friend of the Most High- you will guard that friendship, guard His Word, and do the work that He has called you to do. You will lay down the things of this world that are not good, are not wholesome, and you will hold tight the things of the Lord. You will honor His holiness by treating Him with deference and love. You will do your best to be a friend to Him by treasuring the love He has given you, and giving that love to others.
God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler
Yet, in so much of Christian contemporary music there is a great casualness about God; which I find mirrored in much of today's Christian culture. God is "cool" or "hip", God is someone's personal buddy, and half of the songs on the radio that are supposed to be about God could just as easily be love songs to your significant other. This disturbs me.
Yes, Jesus said, "I no longer call you servants .....but friends," (John 15:15) to His disciples. So many people use this verse to justify a casual, "buddy" style relationship with God. Yet that verse, in the context of the Scripture around it actually says, ""Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do the things which I command you. No longer do I call you servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends: for all things that I heard from my Father I nave made Known unto you. Ye did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide." (John 15:13-16).
It is a wonderful and awe-inspiring thing when Christ, very God of very God, part of the Triune Godhead, says, "I have called you friends." To be a friend is to know someone's heart, to guard their interests, to uphold their reputation and keep their trust. To be a true friend is to value someone deeply, keep their best interests at the forefront, to share an intimacy of spirit. Jesus invites us to be His friends; by knowing His heart and doing the work which the Father gave unto Him, and He gives unto us.
This is not a casual "buddy" style friendship. If the King of Kings has called you "my friend" is does not mean that you can take His Word for granted, ignore His commandments, or treat Him with disrespect. When God offers you the title of friend, you stand amazed, humbled and awed. You guard that relationship with all you are worth, for you want to be worthy of the King's love and friendship. You strive to keep faith, to carry out His will and to represent Him as best you can. You honor such a relationship, you do not treat it as if it were common.
God is God. Almighty and Holy. Just and Powerful, Merciful and All Knowing. Creator and King. He is not the "buddy" you play pranks on, or joke about women with. He is not the "buddy" you can drop at a moment's notice and treat with disrespect.
God has chosen to call those who follow Him "friend." But He is still your Lord and King, and deserves your respect, fealty and love.
And that friendship comes with a price; notice the words above of Jesus, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." God may call you to lay down your life literally someday for His Word, but in our country it is more likely He's going to ask you to lay down your life in a hundred different ways. He has asked you to live a life of love; putting others before yourself. He has asked you to live a life of holiness; laying down the sinful things of this world. He has asked you to live a life of being a peace maker, in a society that values conflict. He has asked you to live a life of faithfulness, to Him, to your spouse, to your family and friends- laying aside a life of selfishness.
If you are His friend- if you are a friend of the Most High- you will guard that friendship, guard His Word, and do the work that He has called you to do. You will lay down the things of this world that are not good, are not wholesome, and you will hold tight the things of the Lord. You will honor His holiness by treating Him with deference and love. You will do your best to be a friend to Him by treasuring the love He has given you, and giving that love to others.
God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler
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