I grew up in a singing church. Sometimes we would sing for like 2 hours solid. I remember playing the bass guitar for the church as a teenager and my fingers getting so tired that they wouldn't work anymore. Those bass runs were killer.

As a child I just sang along with everything. I didn't pay much attention to what I was singing. The older I get, and the more I study Scripture, theology, christology, and all the other "ologies," I realize that some of the songs I have sang over the years are just bad. Real, real bad.

Not too long ago I heard a brother belt out this line, "I know Yahweh will make a way for me. If I live a holy life, shun the wrong and do the right." Man I used to love singing that song. But I'm gonna just be honest. I can't sing it anymore. 

Yahweh makes ways for us we we live holy and do right? Um... if that song is accurate then none of us would be saved. We've all lived unholy lives. We've all shunned the right and did the wrong. The whole gospel message is that Yahweh has made a way for us WHO HAVE NOT DONE WHAT IS RIGHT. Of course I know there are people out there who actually believe they don't do wrong. They sing that tune with great gusto. I used to be one of them. Now, I've gotten to the point where I don't even know how else better to start a prayer than, "Father, have mercy upon me, a sinner."

Let me tell you about another song that I think is just a big, fat lie. It's an old one, and I'm sure this will upset some old saints in the faith, but I'm just keeping things real. It's called "I Surrender All." It starts out like this:

The last time I sang that song I just thought in my mind, "No I don't. I should. I know I need to. I know that's what is demanded of me. But I don't." I put myself above my Savior all the time. I put my job above my Savior, my wife, my kids, my money; it often all comes before my Savior. There may be times when I do a bit better, but to sing "I Surrender All" at the top of my lungs acting like I mean what I am singing? Nope, not gonna lie.

The way I suggest we sing the song is "Christ surrendered all, Christ surrendered all." This way the song is absolutely true. Yeshua did surrender all to the Father. He humbled himself even to the point of death on the cross. I've failed the Father often. Yeshua never did. My faith rests in him and only him for my righteousness.

I wonder what other songs I'm still singing that aren't theologically accurate. I guess it's back to the drawing board.

References: Romans 5:6-11; Philippians 2:1-11 

He Became Sin - by Matthew Janzen
Isaiah 53; 2 Corinthians 5:21

He was pierced through for my transgressions
He was crushed for my sin
The punishment for my peace fell upon Him
And by His bloody stripes I'm clean within

If I could have been there that day
I don't think I would ever be the same
But the reality is I was there, being nailed, to the tree
I recognize I was not even born
But knowing the full truth makes me feel torn
The King of kings He bled, He suffered and died
Just for me, He took my place

He became sin for me
When I should have been crucified upon that tree
And I took on His righteousness
And don't ever forget He gave it willingly
He said if there be a way, please Father
Let this dreadful cup now pass from me
But nonetheless not my will be done but Yours
He became sin

It seems at times it weighs upon my mind
I can't help thinking of it all the time
How one so holy, separate from all sin, could take the place
Of a man, a sinful one like me
I have nothing to bring Him but all my sin
No works of righteousness from within
But He says come to me and I will make you clean
Purify your heart, give you a new start

He became sin for me
When I should have been crucified upon that tree
And I took on His righteousness
And don't ever forget He gave it willingly
He said if there be a way, please Father
Let this dreadful cup now pass from me
But nonetheless not my will be done but Yours
He became sin

Oh, He was crushed by the Father
It even pleased Yahweh our God to bruise Him
And the reason for this wrath is because of the sin
Of you, and me

The Son became sin for me
When I should have been crucified upon that tree
And I took on His righteousness
And don't ever forget He gave it willingly
He said if there be a way, please Father
Let this dreadful cup now pass from me
But nonetheless not my will be done but Yours
The Son became sin

He was pierced through for my transgressions
He was crushed for my sin
The punishment for my peace fell upon Him
And by His bloody stripes I'm clean within