So we raise up holy hands
To praise the Holy One
Who was and is and is to come

Yesterday at church we sang “Unchanging” by Chris Tomlin. As we arrived at the above chorus for the first time I was struck by how easily a song of praise and worship to my Lord could become a prideful abomination.

Song of Praise

My hands are righteous and holy for one reason and one reason only – they were made holy by the blood of Christ.

For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:19, ESV)

Apart from Christ, I am a sinner, an object of wrath, an enemy of God. How sweet it is, then, to be able to raise up hands made righteous by Christ’s obedience and sacrifice upon the cross. I raise up my hands in thanks and praise – in absolute awe of my God, his mercy and grace.

Abomination

If, however, I have convinced myself that my own righteousness might exist apart from Christ Jesus, then my song of praise has become a religious perversion of the truth. If I have convinced myself that I am good apart from my Savior, worthy to raise so-called “holy” hands in the presence of a most-holy God, then my song of worship has become an prideful abomination. How that song must grieve the heart of the Lord.

Nothing Alike

Two very different songs were sung yesterday morning in my church. One, a song of praise and worship to the Holy One. The other, a religious song of pride and self-righteousness. They have the same lyrics and sound identical to the human ear. They are nothing alike, however.

Which song were those around me singing? Which song did I sing?