Dear Fellow Christians

It is absurd that there is division and gossip between some of you. Did Jesus sow seeds of division? Did Jesus gossip? Why do some unfairly criticize other Christians, and in public no less? Wouldn’t Satan delight in this, because such actions reinforce the disdain some have for God and Christianity? Wouldn’t a person like that say, "You see, Christians themselves act like this, so why should I become Christian?" Shouldn’t we act the way we preach? Why do some Christians assume that others lack Godliness? No one knows the hearts of others, only God. If one has spent any time online in comment sections, you would have noticed the condemning nature of those who are supposedly Christian towards a popular Christian that has made a mistake. It’s important for those in the spotlight to avoid sinning and making mistakes because people are always watching them. And also, some people are watching them, waiting for them to fail, and proceed to provide the reaction, “You see, Christians aren’t all that and are just sanctimonious.” Christians are to be role models. It is imperative for Christians to always act in Christ in public. I won’t use names here, but let's talk about something I sadly come across all too much.

There has been the constant condemnation of Christians who rap. They are in the limelight, and everything they do is scrutinized, and even the genre of the music is targeted. It is essential that people not forget that all music is inherently not a sin. There is no one type of beat or one type of delivery of lyrics that is a sin. It is the lyrics themselves that make the song a sin or not. Speaking of lyrics, some Christians have implanted the idea in their consciousness that Christian music should have God said a number of times to their liking. A Christian song obviously can be Christian even without having God being said in the song at all. There is no sin that involves not saying God in a song. You will hear some saying that those songs aren’t entirely Godly because they don’t say God enough. Or that artist is not Christian; he/she doesn’t say God enough in their music. Remember, fellow Christians, not everything is about you. Do you think that music that is used to reach people should be so infused with advanced Godly principles and terminology? Would you have positively responded to such a song if you were an unbeliever? Some music is a tool to minister to unbelievers. The song in the genre of rap is used to garner the attention of those who listen to carnal rap music. The similarity in style and rhythm are the means of persuasion. Such songs sound like songs that they would normally listen to, but they will quickly realize that the lyrics are positive, uplifting, and even provide counsel showing them a better way through God. A litany of new believers have testimonials rooted in being saved after listening to a Christian song that is rapped. Some of the artists who are Christians tell a tale that God saved them from a life of misery, and they should have lost their lives a long time ago if it wasn’t for the grace of God.

Now every song isn’t the same. It goes without saying, but I will still say it: be careful of the wolf in sheep clothing. Use the Holy Spirit for discernment in order to ascertain which music is Godly and which is pretending to be Godly. Given all this, a question begs to be asked. Should the music be as ignorant as the ministry of some Christians who think telling unbelievers to repent or go to Hell is a fruitful endeavor? If so, then the music would achieve the same result that the ministry through ignorance would achieve, driving people further away from God and actually assisting Satan in his plan to get as many people as possible away from God.

It’s like some Christians are waiting for others to fail so that they can metaphorically come in riding on their white horse, casting shame upon the person who failed. Did Jesus delight in condemning people? So why do some Christians perk up when a situation presents itself for them to utter condemnation amongst others? Don’t you know that it is an action that you would think unbelievers would do, because they know not of God and His ways? Even many unbelievers have the wisdom to not condemn others, so why don’t some Christians have that wisdom too? Especially given the fact they have witnessed God in a more intimate way than an unbeliever, yet the unbeliever in this case is acting more like Jesus than a person who has chosen to be sanctified by the grace of God and the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

This passage below shows just how Jesus would act in a situation where many people would choose to condemn:

“The Adulterous Woman

[1] But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. [2] Early in the morning He came back into the temple [court], and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began teaching them. [3] Now the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the center of the court, [4] and they said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of adultery. [5] Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women [to death]. So what do You say [to do with her—what is Your sentence]?’ [Deut 22:22-24] [6] They said this to test Him, hoping that they would have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and began writing on the ground with His finger. [7] However, when they persisted in questioning Him, He straightened up and said, ‘He who is without [any] sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ [Deut 17:7] [8] Then He stooped down again and started writing on the ground. [9] They listened [to His reply], and they began to go out one by one, starting with the oldest ones, until He was left alone, with the woman [standing there before Him] in the center of the court. [10] Straightening up, Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’ [11] She answered, ‘No one, Lord!’ And Jesus said, ‘I do not condemn you either. Go. From now on sin no more.’]” (John 8:1-11 AMP).

Jesus didn’t condemn the woman, but instead provided a teaching moment for her accusers. The passage also states that her accusers were preparing to accuse Jesus himself. Just think about that. Those people had so much of an accusatory heart that they were eagerly awaiting the moment to accuse Jesus. Jesus was perfect in nature, not giving them the opportunity to accuse him. But those who were anticipating accusing Jesus were not perfect and had imperfections and misgivings just like the woman who they wanted to condemn. If one wants to condemn anyone, condemn yourself. However, we should never condemn ourselves either, because God has bestowed upon us His grace.

1. John 8 | AMP Bible | YouVersion. (n.d.). In www.bible.com. https://www.bible.com/bible/1588/JHN.8.AMP.