“And they *sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the [a]book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”  Revelation 5:9

One of the richest traditions of worship inherited from the American Awakenings was hymns about the blood of Christ. I love modern worship styles and rejoice in the worship movements of the last two decades. But I fear that these movements have inadvertently left out of 21st Century worship songs some vital elements of theology. Sacred music’s purpose has always been to inform our faith, as well as inspire our faith.

Much of modern worship succeeds in inspiration but fails to teach doctrine. I was born into the last score of years of the 20th Century. So I can mark a clear difference in my mind from the worship of my childhood and that of my college and young adulthood. Styles have changed and that is a good thing. The church should always be in the lead in cultural revolutions of style and expression. But the doctrine of the church has suffered in the process.

We too rarely hear songs written today that call our attention to heaven, consecration, or the blood of Jesus. I think we have lost our view of eternity or heaven and hence make little of it in singing. The temporal concerns of our day have outweighed our eternal nature. This has had consequences which are devastating to personal holiness, corporate commitment, and great commission urgency. A few months ago I started leading my congregation in singing old consecration hymns. As we did this I realized that in contrast to the new songs which I love, there is a great difference. Today’s worship songs seldom call us to consecration, surrender, or sacrifice. This too, no doubt with devastating consequences.

Now, to the issue at hand. We have stopped singing about the blood. This I’m quite sure has been intentional for some. And for those who simply flow with the currents of popularity the result is accidental but costly. Some time ago the seeker sensitive movement waged a subtle war on the blood. They assumed that in order to appeal to “seekers” (that is new comers), you had to leave out references to the blood. I guess modern sensitivities can’t handle references to bleeding lambs and a dying savior. This is odd considering that some modern pulpits are filled with “cussing preachers” and sexually explicit sermon content.  Have we become put off by the blood of Jesus, and lured by vulgarity in the pulpit? Surly this is nothing less than satanic deception.

With that said, I urge you whether pastor, music minister, elder, or congregant to insist upon the inclusion of such lyrics regardless of style which set before the hearts of your people the sacred truth of the blood.  This truth must never be far from our singing, so that the essence of the Gospel may never be far from our hearts.  A bloodless church has no power, and that is far to convenient for the sworn enemy of our souls.  Consider that when we get to heaven, we will still be singing about the blood of the Lamb.  Even then our saviors blood will remain the subject of our songs.  If it is so in heaven, where sin no longer reigns, and Satan no longer deceives.  Then all the more, let us proclaim salvation through Christ blood while pilgrims on this earth.