200 Pianos

Paul Meacham, Jr.

An elderly man who had led singing for many years in small country congregations went to the big city to visit family. While there, he had the opportunity to lead a group of about 350 in the assembly on Sunday morning. Later that day, as they ate lunch, his nephew asked him what it looked like from the pulpit with all those people out there. He replied, “Son, I saw 200 pianos.” The elder song leader went on to explain how disappointing it was to see all those people not singing.

While most members of the Lord’s church would still protest the use of a piano (and rightly so), many violate the same law of God by stoically warming a pew with tightly clenched lips while praises of God are being sung. Many members will turn to Ephesians 5:18-19 and Colossians 3:16-17 to show Bible authority for singing. The addition of mechanical instruments in worship to God is then condemned, citing the lack of authority for such. While these things are true and must always be taught “lest we slip,” we MUST realize that these same passages COMMAND singing in worship to God. Anyone capable of “making a joyful noise from the heart” and who fails to do so is committing sin and is in violation of God’s pattern just like a person who adds a piano.

Brethren, we must understand that ALL of God’s commands MUST be obeyed. When we refuse to obey the command to sing because we feel uncomfortable or self-conscious, or any one of a dozen reasons, we place our own pride above the will of God. When one chooses to add the instrument in worship to God he places his own judgment and will above the will of God. And, BOTH are sin.