A New Charge for 2023
John Wm. Roberts, ED.D., Contributing Writer
When Charles Wesley published the hymn, “A Charge to Keep I Have,” in Short Hymns on Select Passages of the Holy Scriptures in 1762, little did he realize how this hymn would affect Christians nearly 261 years later in 2023. Verse one says, “A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify, A never-dying soul to save And fit it for the sky.” One of the major functions of music in the church is to inspire congregants of the glory of God toward His people. In the process, the people of God have an obligation to God…to glorify Him for all He has, is, and will do. This glorification is accomplished not merely through the singing of songs but by applying the lyrics of the songs to their lives. Christians must take the words of many hymns of the church literally and put them into action. The Holy Scripture says, ”For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26 [KJV]. How many times have Christians sung “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior,” yet, at the same time, see a stranger on the street in need of assistance and just pass them by as if they do not exist? The words in the chorus say, “While on others, Thou art calling, do not pass me by.” Some Christians pick and choose those to stop and help and those not to stop and help. Is this God’s charge? The Good Samaritan did not hesitate to help the man in distress on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, although he was left by the side of the road by a priest and Levite. Jesus did not pick and choose those He offered salvation. Should Christians be judgmental as to whom we offer physical help and spiritual support?
A Charge to Keep I Have, Verse 2 says, “To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill; O may it all my powers engage To do my Master’s will!” Are we, as Christians, during this present age, going to do what is necessary to fulfill God’s will…to love one another, or are we going to pick and choose the times we put our ‘faith’ into ‘works’ and fulfill the Master’s will? Mahalia Jackson sang a song that is apropos to underscore the thoughts stated in this article. “I’m gonna live the life I sing about in my song; I’m gonna stand for right, and I alwaysshun the wrong; If I’m in the crowd, if I’m alone on the streets or in my home; I’m gonna live the life I sing aboutin my song
Every day, everywhere, on a busy thoroughfare, Folks may watch me; some may spot me.
Say I’m foolish, But I don’t care. I can’t sing one thing and then live another; Be saint by day and a devilundercover; I’ve got to live the life I sing about in my song.”
This is the charge to be kept. Will we, as Christians, keep it?
