 |
I titled this blog Christian rapper vs. Christianity because I want to highlight the distinction that can often ironically exists between the two. I am defining Christianity to mean "A Biblical way of viewing and living life that include sanctification".
Often times from the outside, many assumptions about the spiritual health and vitality of an artist can be made on the strength of their image. We see them perform at events, see their CD's on the shelves, watch them on TV, the internet, and hear them speak. We're very confident that they must be living great lives of Biblical Christianity. I have had the pleasure of knowing many artists and many of them live Biblically consistent lives, to the glory of God. However, I want to challenge artists directly, while at the same time correct the perception of people looking from the outside in.
Now, I'll start off by saying that there are some artists who the Lord has granted the ability to be able to actually live off of what they do. This won't be the case for everyone, but some will. I've seen many times where artists, producers, etc. have made it their chief aim and ambition to be able to do music on a full time basis. I don't say that this is a totally bad thing, but it can be troublesome for some as they sacrifice everything on the alter of ambition- including the whole life changing spectrum of Biblical Christianity outside of the music.
What Christian good is it if an artist can tour non-stop, but can't have any reliable accountability? What does it benefit an artist's sanctification to have a huge reputation as a great artist bringing others into worship if they are so busy doing music that they can never themselves find time of reflection? How is it that many artists don't even have a place where they call a home Church that they are routinely discipled in and labor in for no reward? And how many artists have put wives under spiritual burden while being a spiritual pillar of excellence to their fan base?
There comes a point where the Christian rapper must grow. This doesn't mean be sloppy or lazy with your music. This doesn't mean that you can't be serious about your craft. But this means that you must stop seeing making music "for the Lord" as the most important ways to glorify God. He wants you discipled. He wants you discipling others. He wants you loving your wife as Christ loves the Church. He wants you actively involved in your local assembly doing the work of Christ. He wants your sanctification in more then just your music.
Lord, let this encourage us to never put any of our persuits, whether Christian music or our careers, in direct competition with our sanctification. Let us grow and mature as Christian men and women, not just as Christian artists, not just as employees, but in all areas of our life, holding fast to the anchor of Christ, loving Him and His bride.
10:35 AM
Powered by  | | English | | Albanian | | Arabic | | Bulgarian | | Catalan | | Chinese | | Croatian | | Czech | | Danish | | Dutch | | Estonian | | Filipino | | Finnish | | French | | Galician | | German | | Greek | | Hebrew | | Hindi | | Hungarian | | Indonesian | | Italian | | Japanese | | Korean | | Latvian | | Lithuanian | | Maltese | | Norwegian | | Polish | | Portuguese | | Romanian | | Russian | | Serbian | | Slovak | | Slovenian | | Spanish | | Swedish | | Thai | | Turkish | | Ukrainian | | Vietnamese |
|