A religious song is like a sermon put to music. Just because the tune or the voice behind the lyrics might be beautiful or peaceful to the ear doesn’t mean the words are wholesome and good! In fact, some so-called Christian music is spiritual poison just like many TV and radio sermons are, according to the Bible!
Jesus, Friend Of Sinners
A glaring example of a poisonous musical sermon is the song Jesus, Friend of Sinners. Even the title is deceptive! How you may ask? The only time Jesus was called a friend of sinners was by his critics, who also slandered him with being a glutton and drunkard (Mt. 11:19; Lk. 7:34)! Furthermore, two sections of that horrible musical sermon, which are non-scriptural, are the following. The first is:
Jesus friend of sinners the truth’s become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they’re tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I’m so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided
The second is:
Jesus friend of sinners the one who’s writing in the sand
Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of these
Let the memory of Your mercy bring your people to their knees
Both of those verses grossly twist and distort the image of a true Christian. Jesus, friend of sinners is a musical sermon no one needs to hear! It is spreading the lie of eternal security. It should not be sung or listened to because it will deceive people just like a sermon on grace from Charles Stanley or Joseph Prince.
Jesus Loves Me
The classic Jesus Loves Me hymn is a very old song, which has had its lyrics revised to be more consistent with the heretical doctrine of once saved always saved. The variation shows up in the fourth verse. Notice the differences between the present version and the older one:
(Present Version)
Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.
(Older Version)
Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
If I love Him, when I die
He will take me home on high.
The older version implies a conditional security for the believer, which must have been too disturbing for the eternal security religious leaders who pull the strings in our day and had it removed! Truth is out and eternal security is in even in the songs which are sung in the congregations. This is our apostate day.
The older version of Jesus Loves Me correctly shows, loving Jesus is a salvation issue (1 Cor. 16:22) and that love for him can cease to exist, since it is manifested by obedience to Jesus (John 14:15, 23,24 cf. Heb. 5:9)! It seems anything which implies obedience on man’s part is denounced as a works salvation and legalism by the grace changers (wolves in sheep’s clothing) in power.
Worship Leaders
Another subtle snare is the musically talented worship leaders, who talk in between the congregational songs and speak out poisonous untruths about God, salvation, grace, the Christian life, etc., especially implying eternal security. They too are potentially as bad as a musical sermon teaching lies and should not be allowed to lead in worship, regardless the need.
Foxe’s Book Of Martyrs
Even classic books have been edited to remove anything which is non eternal security. One example, which has changed over the years, is Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. The more recent version has removed the conditional security beliefs and statements embraced by the martyrs showing they did NOT believe once saved always saved!
Folks, be very careful what you listen to. We are in a highly deceptive time. Stay in the Bible and test everything with it, including music. Your SOUL is on the line! Do NOT trust the preachers, book publishers, worship leaders, etc. Get in the Scriptures for yourself.
