Here is one of the topics we have discussed on the show and We wanna hear from you and what you think, holla back....I got this text that read: A quote from Jay-Z, Blueprint 3 album, Song: Empire State of Mind,
'Jesus Can't save You, life Starts When the Church Ends.' "What are you doing everyday to disprove this
quote?"
Now let me say a few things here, and all may not agree, but I want to get a few things off my chest. I have to admit I've been busy doing what God called me to do, so I hadn't heard the song yet. And had the text come from a few others in the Christian hip-hop game I may not have taken it as seriously, because of their views on things. But this is a brother I know to be filled with the Spirit and who takes it to the street and really lives like many of us claim we do.
But unlike most people, even when a reliable person like M.A.J.O.R.S. shares something like this, instead of running with it we first must look into it for ourselves. So I looked up the lyrics to the song. Now let me say I'm a
die hard New Yorker who lived that Empire State of Mind to the fullest. I am a confessed hip-hop junkie and also someone who feels Jay Z carried New York on his back and held it down for us when Biggie died. Even though I questioned a lyric or two, I basically rode with
Jigga. Now I painted that picture so when I say the next part you understand who its coming from. Not someone that finds conspiracy theories in every lyric and demonic spirits in every rapper. I'm not saying it's not okay to listen to secular music, I'm not saying all hip-hop is bad. I'm also not going to jump on the band wagon that says one artists makes the whole genre evil...I do say be careful what you allow your ears to hear and your eyes to see, but hear me on this.
If we call ourselves a Children of God, we must step up when anyone, even an artist we feel, says anything negative against our Lord. We can no longer just sit back and let these lyrics go unchecked as our children and those who don't have a relationship with the King digest this message.
Lights is blinding, girls need blinders
so they can step out of bounds quick,
the side lines is blind with casualties,who sipping life casually,
then gradually become worse,
don’t bite the apple Eve,
caught up in the in crowd,
now your in-style,
and in the winter gets cold en vogue with your skin out,
the city of sin is a pity on a whim,
good girls gone bad, the cities filled with them,
Mommy took a bus trip and now she got her bust out,
everybody ride her, just like a bus route,
Hail Mary to the city your a Virgin,
and Jesus can’t save you life starts when the church ends,
came here for school, graduated to the high life,
ball players, rap stars, addicted to the limelight,
MDMA got you feeling like a champion,
the city never sleeps better slip you a Ambien
[Chorus]In New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There's nothing you can’t do,
Now you’re in New York,
these streets will make you feel brand new,
the lights will inspire you
lets here it for New York, New York, New York...
- Empire State Of Mind- Jay Z featuring Alicia KeysWe can no longer sit back and complain to each other about the evils in hip-hop, pop culture, television, movies and the media and not go out equally as strong with the message of the Good News of our God, of our Savior. We can no longer sit back and wait for others to do something about it. So I agree with my brother M.A.J.O.R.S. This is not a slam Jay Z post but a battle cry to all those who call themselves Children Of God, to go out in the streets and teach the truth. We have set back for far too long waiting on our preachers to save the world, when the great
commission orders all of us to take Gods Word to the streets. So after this lengthy rant I leave you with this thought; It's one thing to hear something and look the other way, not play it, not buy it, not support it, but as M.A.J.O.R.S. asked in his text this morning, "
What are you doing everyday to disprove this quote?"
I add, not just this quote but everything that speaks against our Savior. We must re-present Christ to the world, because many don't know Him and have only heard statements like the one in this song. So long as no one challenges that, that is what they believe. The truth is, there is no situation where Christ can't save you, if you come to Him, honestly, humbly and ask for forgiveness of your sins. He died on the Cross and paid the price for sin which is eternal death, so we could have an intimate relationship with HIM and eternal life. Are you out in the streets, the highways and the bi-ways, the hood and other places where healing is needed? Are you taking the Good News to the lost and those who don't have a relationship with Christ? Are you introducing your friends who don't believe to Christ?
Well if the answer is no, you can no longer sit back and complain that Jay Z or anyone else said something about Christ, if you are not out there teaching the truth. I apologize for the rant, you know ya boy got a big mouth but I felt very passionate about this and had to share it and want to hear from everyone. Each and everyone of you whether you believe what I believe or not. I want to hear from you!
