I deeply appreciate music. For that I have my parents to thank, for they exposed my brothers and me to different forms of music. They would play those old vinyl records of their type of music—classical, sacred, ballads. And they would allow us to listen to our musical preferences—pop, folk, rock, jazz.
One thing that we all shared as a family was the appreciation of exceptional musical harmony, especially vocal harmony. One particular form of music we enjoyed was a cappella music with tight harmonies. The sound of voices blending together with precise pitch provided aural pleasure.
When opportunities arise, we would go and listen to live performances of a cappella choirs or groups. At first I wondered how the singers could start a song in the same key when there was no instrument—like a guitar or piano—to guide them. Later I learned, and then noticed, that there was one person in the group who would provide the pitch using either a tuning fork or a pitch pipe. (This would be done at a very low volume that only the singers on the stage could hear it.) Once every member of the group got their pitch, the singing would start. And the audience is treated to a delightful performance.
I recently read Romans 15.5-6 in the English Standard Version. It reads: “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The wording of the passage somehow brought me to the place of my background in music appreciation. And the musical picture allowed me to see some interesting perspectives on the spiritual lessons of the passage. Glorifying God “with one voice” is characterized by living in close “harmony with one another.” Just as good vocal harmony offers a pleasant experience to the listeners, so too harmonious Christian living offers a witness to Christ that could be attractive to observers.
And the key to such harmony is Christ himself. In a cappella singing, the tuning fork or pitch pipe provides singers with the one point of reference on which to base their singing. In the same manner, harmonious Christian living becomes possible when Christians align their lives “in accord with Christ Jesus.” And God receives the glory that is due him.
—Keith Y. Jainga