****BIND US TOGETHER, LORD / BLEST BE THE TIE THAT BINDS

(For a few weeks, during a series of sermons on ecclesiology (the doctrine of the Church) and, more specifically, the biblical justification for the organized membership in a local assembly, I selected the chorus, "BIND US TOGETHER; LORD." for our congregational singing. 

This contemporary chorus has made is way into popular use in evangelical churches over the past fifty years.  It is a simple song with an easy, melody that is often used for closing a service.

Here are the lyrics:

Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together, With cords, that cannot be broken.

Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together, Lord Bind us together with Love.

There is only One God, There is only One King,

There is only One Body; That is why we can sing,

bind us together… (and the chorus repeats).

Now, I am well aware of the spiritual dangers of luring congregations into mindless emotionalism with meaningless repetitious music, so I try to minimize the repetition and focus our thoughts on the substance of the text.  I am reminded of Paul’s words of caution, to the errant church at Corinth, when he said, "What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."  (1 Cor. 14:15)

So, in order to sing this song with understanding, the lyrics must be understood in their scriptural contexts: There are at least two New Testament references to support these lyrics.

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another.  If anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection."  Col. 3:12-14

And Paul, speaking to the church, says, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is One Body and One Spirit, just as you were called in One hope of your calling;  One Lord, One faith, One baptism;  one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in (you) all."  Ephesians 4:3-6

These are clear imperatives; we are to work hard to keep ourselves bound together in unity.

But I wonder about the specific nature of the prayer in this song; Is there any stronger, scriptural anchor, for the concept that God should have an active part in binding (or keeping) us together?

YES! There is.  It’s in the instructions He gave Moses for the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness, found in the book of the Exodus. "And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle."

The boards were to be made of Acacia wood, an earthly and corruptible material.  They were stood upright, each on its own foundations of silver, which symbolizes redemption.  They were overlaid (or clad) with gold, representing purity, holiness, and deity. 

Do you get the picture here?  The boards represent us in Christ, God’s elect, the Church.  We were corruptible, taken out of the earth, and covered in the righteousness of Christ.

The boards were stood side by side to hold up the tabernacle where God would meet with His people.  They were held together by bars that were overlaid with gold, and there was One Bar (also made from acacia wood and covered with gold) that ran continuously right through the middle of each board, representing Christ in us.

There is no question about the symbolism here.  It is by God’s design and instructions that His Church is to be bound together for His abode.

This "bond of peace" is similar to another word we often use – fellowship.  Fellowship is not something we enjoy by virtue of our common, corruptible nature.  We are not held together by social events or eating with friends after church.  It is not found in our common interests like sports, activities, age groups, or friendships.  Our fellowship is in what we possess by virtue of our election.  It is each of us bound together eternally.

YES, there is only One God; One King, and One Body.  We are in Christ and He is in us, holding us up and holding us together.  And that is why we can sing, Bind Us Together.

For our song service, I linked this song to another favorite old hymn with a compatible message, (Blest Be The Tie That Binds).  The two are written in the same key so the transition, from the contemporary to the traditional, was seamless and natural as we moved directly to these lyrics;

Blest be the tie that binds, Our hearts with Christian love,

The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above.