Please Be Clear

I recently purchased a Christian performance track which I thought would be a good song to sing at church, based loosely on having listened to this song on the radio a few times. Without going into a bashing session of a particular artist or song, there was simply no reference to Jesus Christ or God in the song, leaving the listener's interpretation open for questions. It really bothers me that there should be any room left to wonder what a song from a Christ-follower is really trying to say. Those in Christ have a central theme in every daily activity, no matter how small, and that theme is Jesus Christ. Having stated these things, here is my stand on this issue:

1. The gospel of Jesus Christ is of first importance in any activity to which the word "ministry" is attached. If there is no Christ in the message, the message is watered down to just a feel-good set of worthless words, and a powerless God of the listener's own liking is created based on his/her own interpretations. The world doesn't need another powerless, do-it-yourself God, the world needs the saving power of Jesus Christ, who actually saves from sin and eternal judgment because he died in my place on the cross. If one has experienced the overwhelming grace and saving power of Christ, it is all you can do to keep it hidden, it comes out in the form of floods of living waters!

2. Songs of worship should be clear about who/what is being proclaimed/worshipped. It continues to be very important that the messages put forward by Christians are crystal clear. Proclaim Jesus, and use his name while proclaiming him. Proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and the goodness of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Every good thing comes from God, and he is worthy of all glory and praise.