Kanye West’s Christian conversion is less about Jesus than it is about Kanye
This headline leaves no doubt how the article’s author feels about the icon’s new album or his faith. Jesus is King dropped three weeks ago, inciting discussion, news stories, social media commentary and even subject for sermons. With each interview Kanye does to promote the music, speculation grows. The recording – only 27 minutes long – continues to stir up a heap more controversy than any of his previous provocative, obscenity-laced material.
Michael Arceneaux, who wrote the Think piece mentioned above, wrapped up his post by stating, “Jesus might be king, but it’s not at his altar that Kanye is worshipping right now.” The criticism aimed at West is not only for his art, but also for beliefs. Most notably, Christians have publicly questioned his motives and sincerity. Some believe it’s all a stunt to sell records. Other think he’s paying lip service to the Creator with no real internal change. And still more are waiting for this “phase” of his to wear off.
What I must ask is, who are we to judge the heart of anyone?
As one source is quoted, “Kanye used to be about nothing greater than himself. Now it’s all about a higher power.” He has publicly promised that he’ll never perform his old material again in its original form – opting instead to edit lyrics that aren’t God honoring and don’t represent the new person that he is. While many remain skeptical of such a drastic turn-around, I say, how powerful is the God they serve? Mine is powerful enough to redeem us from any sin, no matter how dark or depraved. My God accepts anyone from any walk of life into His open arms. That’s what Jesus came for.
Kanye may not say all the correct things, but who of us came to Christ with all the right ideas and language already intact? When we choose to turn our lives over to God, salvation happens in a moment. But sanctification happens over a lifetime. We become more and more like Jesus the longer we walk with Him. As the pastor at my church pointed out on Sunday, Kanye must live out the first days of his new life in Christ on a public stage for all to see. I don’t envy him that. He will make mistakes as He learns and grows, and my prayer is that we will not skewer him for it. We must not compare his first year against another believer’s 20th. Moreover, we shouldn’t compare at all. We have to stop publicly flogging other Christ followers. We should lift them up in prayer. Particularly those with such enormous reach.
Besides:
Everything that hath breath praise the Lord
Worship Christ with the best of your portions
I know I won’t forget all He’s done
He’s the strength in this race that I run
Every time I look up, I see God’s faithfulness
And it shows just how much He is miraculous
I can’t keep it to myself, I can’t sit here and be still
Everybody, I will tell ’til the whole world is healed
King of Kings, Lord of Lords, all the things He has in store
From the rich to the poor, all are welcome through the door
You won’t ever be the same when you call on Jesus’ name
Listen to the words I’m sayin’, Jesus saved me, now I’m sane
And I know, I know God is the force that picked me up
I know Christ is the fountain that filled my cup
I know God is alive, yeah
He has opened up my vision
Giving me a revelation
This ain’t ’bout a dead religion
Jesus brought a revolution
All the captives are forgiven
Time to break down all the prisons
Every man, every woman
There is freedom from addiction
Jesus, You have my soul
Sunday Service on a roll
All my idols, let ’em go
All the demons, let ’em know
This a mission, not a show
This is my eternal soul
This my kids, this the crib
This my wife, this my life
This my God-given right
Thank You, Jesus, won the fight
Absolutely, Lauren! We should be praying for those new Christians, not tearing them down because we think they can’t possibly be saved. Those lyrics sound entirely sincere to me.
Blessings!
Thanks for weighing in, Martha.
Dear Lauren, “sanctification lasts a life time” I live this statement. Such profound wisdom. I totally agree with you. Only God knows our hearts. Blessings Diana
Thanks, Diana. God is so kind to continue to mold us to be more and more like Him the longer we walk with Him.
Amen! I wholeheartedly agree!
We even have an example in the Apostle Paul, a persecutor of Christians, But God… His plans are perfect and His redemption is for EVERYONE!
As Christians, we should be rejoicing in how the Lord will use Kanye. From what I have heard, he is sharing the true gospel and whether people agree with HOW he is doing it, he is doing it none the less. Another example from the Apostle Paul when he said, that some preach the truth in pretense and others in sincerity, but no matter, the Truth is still being proclaimed, the same applies here.
Also as believers we should be surrounding Kanye in prayer because the enemy WILL attack and Kanye needs to be fortified and uplifted by his brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Thanks for sharing.
I hadn’t even thought about the Apostle Paul as an example! I mean, I was saved from much too, but not on such a public stage. Thanks, Karen.
People forget that when you are born again, you are just a baby christian. This is who Kanye is, a baby christian. I’m so happy for Him, coming to Christ is the best decision he could ever make. Where his heart is, is not for me to judge, that’s between him and God. I welcome him into our family and I wish and pray nothing but the best for him and his family.
You are kind and so glad your prayers are joining with mine, Carolina.
Thank you for this wonderful piece, Lauren. Even though I may be skeptical about Kanye’s motives, I should be supportive. None of us is perfect.
So true. And if we are skeptical, we can keep those feelings close to the vest for kingdom sake and pray for him like crazy!
I love what the Lord is doing through Kanye, it’s so faith building for me. I’m so encouraged by his journey. I agree 100% with what you’ve posted Lauren, Kanye needs our prayers and support (so does his wife and family). I say bring it on!!! We want to see more of these kinds of stories and conversions happening everywhere. Do it again Lord!
Yes we do. I didn’t even mention how much religious themed google searches jumped in the days following the album release. Yay God!
We are not his judge, God is, and time will tell.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Thanks for visiting back, Patsy.
I don’t follow much of this stuff in the media so this is the first I am hearing of any of this Kanye stuff. And I have to say that when I read the first paragraph of your post, my thoughts were exactly where you went with your own personal commentary. Who is anyone to judge? While I may not be a fan of Kanye, you do have to give him the benefit of the doubt. If it is all a marketing ploy, then that is on him to reconcile with his higher power. But if it is all genuine and sincere, aren’t those who pass the judgments just going to end up looking like fools in front of the world and their higher power. Really great post and message, Lauren. Thanks for sharing and linking up.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thanks for your generous comments, Shelbee.
Love this, Lauren. I agree who are we to judge. We should be celebrating and lifting him in prayer. The bible is full of people who didn’t always do it so well. God gives grace and use anything. We should do the same. Blessings, Maree
You are so right, Maree. Lots of our biblical examples botched it up didn’t they? And were used by God none the less. That just shows how powerful He is.
My heart can’t help rejoicing over a saved soul and I truly believe Kanye has been saved. The angels in heaven are rejoicing and we should be too! I’ve been listening to his new album and watching interviews with him and the pastor he came to with questions, and its been so exciting to see what God is doing. I’m praying for him. I know God does great things through those He humbles and saves. God is good!
I love your heart for this, Cathy. Thanks for your thoughts here.
I don’t believe he’s using religion to sell more albums, though I do question if the focus is really on God – thankfully that’s not up to me to judge, but the big man upstairs! #GlobalBlogging
Yes. Only God is qualified to judge. Thanks, Heather.
So sad to see Christians begging the most judgmental of all people. Lord help us.
Thanks for sharing at Legacy Link up
Agreed, Mandy.