The Chord on the left is a C-major chord. What that means is that the notes are built on the note “C” and the notes that are used produce a certain quality—which we call “major”—and this produces a pleasing sound.
The one on the right is a different type of chord. You can hear that this chord has a different quality—definitely not pleasing, right? The notes all clash. In music theory, we don’t actually call this a chord. Because of its un-harmonious, if not random, quality, we call it a tone cluster. Even though it is built on the note “C,” the same note as the C-major chord, it is not pleasing because of the notes which are built on top of it.
I would say the C-major chord represents the Christian who has received new life in Christ—built on the foundation of Christ—and is actively building on that life in accordance with God’s will. This is pleasing to God.
The tone cluster represents the Christian who has received new life in Christ—built on the same foundation of Christ—and are actively building their own life, not always considering God’s will. This is not pleasing to God.
Alternatively, try playing the C-major chord on an out-of-tune instrument. The sound produced is definitely not pleasing, either. I have my fingers in the same place as before, and in theory I am playing the same notes. However, it is out of tune, which creates a sound perhaps more unsettling than the in-tune tone cluster.
This represents a person who calls themselves a Christian, and seems to be doing all the right things, but their heart is not right with God—they have not actually received new life in Christ. You might say this is a Christian going through the motions—being religious without a revelation.
In order for my guitar to make a pleasing sound, the instrument has to both be tuned and to be played correctly. This can only be done by somebody who knows how to tune the instrument and also knows all the right notes.
In order for me to be pleasing to the Lord, I have to both accept new life in the Lord—allowing my heart to be “tuned”—and to actively participate in the Lord building my life, one “note” at a time.
What does it mean to be “tuned” by the Lord, and what are the “notes” which are built upon Christ?
Colossians 3:12-17. This is a description of harmonious living. We have been “chosen of God”—and therefore have chosen God—which means we are accepting having our lives put together by God in harmony with the character of Christ. (the note “C”)
* These describe the character of Christ: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another, forgiving one another. Love is the perfect bond of unity, marked by the peace of God, thankfulness, richness in God’s word. This allows us to act accordingly: Teaching and admonishing one another with singing and spiritual songs. We cannot help but sing God’s praise—both literally and figuratively with our life—which shows others how we as a body should be living.
In order to be pleasing to the Lord as His body, we have to choose to live according to His character, and actively love one another.
So let’s break this down a little further…
Choosing to live according to Jesus’ character (“Put on a heart…”). I have to receive this new heart from the Lord—a tuned instrument—before I can truly love my brothers and sisters. Before us as a body can be fully pleasing to the Lord, we have to all love one another. This is the work of the Lord. How this new heart of love manifests:
--Compassion…Jesus is compassionate
--Kindness…Jesus is kind
--Humility…Jesus is humble
--Gentleness…Jesus is gentle
--Patience…Jesus is patient
--Forgiveness…Jesus is forgiving
One who has not received a new heart of love cannot do any of these things, even if it looks like they are doing religious acts which look good.
One who has received a new heart of love may sometimes do things contrary to love. We all mess up, but we should understand that this is not pleasing to the Lord. These things are like a tone cluster (Colossians 3:5-6, 8) and put us under God’s wrath:
--immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed
--anger
--wrath
--malice
--abusive speech
I would also say opposites of what are pleasing:
--Selfishness
--pride
--impatience
--unforgiveness
These are all character traits of one who is trying to build their own life—even a person who has accepted Christ—and the frustrations thereto. This is why Paul encourages the Christians at Colossae to “put them aside.” They are not pleasing to the Lord—just as displeasing as one who has not accepted Christ. They are not fitting for children of God.
Let us make it our aim to please our heavenly Father, just as Jesus did in all things. We each need to have a heart that is tuned to God’s life, and we all have to live a life accordingly.
If we do this we will be a beautiful, harmonious composition--written and performed by the Master Composer—pleasing to Him in all ways. Perhaps the song of our lives may even draw others into fellowship with us and with our Creator.
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