The Gig is Up
- Kingdom Kulture
- Apr 1
- 5 min read
As long as I can remember, I've been a fan of music. Throughout my life I have listened to all kinds of music — pretty much anything from Hip-hop to Gospel and even some bluegrass at times. As long as an artist seemed authentic, I usually didn’t mind listening to what he or she had to say.
As I got older, however, I started to care more about the person behind the music instead of just the music itself. I began learning to pay close attention to the message that was being sent in the music by the artist.
A few years ago, I had the chance to meet a very famous Gospel singer. He was a friend of a friend, so I got a chance to go backstage and was invited to hang out with him and his crew the following day. I had never met a Gospel singer of his caliber before, so I was very interested to hear about his journey with God.
Once we began talking, it wasn’t long before he invited us out for drinks. This caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting him to frequent the local bars considering he was getting on stage and singing each day. I am definitely in no position to judge, but I did think it was odd that he wasn't even questioning his own decisions while simultaneously telling the world about God.
As the conversations progressed I spoke more with the other members of the crew, only to find out that they were setting up different hotel rooms for women to come by after their performance.
If I’m being honest, I think the artist is very talented, so I don’t see why he would pick this genre of music if he wasn’t devoted to at least attempting to uphold the standard that came with it. I think we can all agree that no one is perfect, but does that give us an excuse to not even attempt to be like the Jesus we sing about?
6 What shall we say [to all this]? Are we to remain in sin in order that God’s grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow? 2 Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Romans 6:1-2 AMPC
Unfortunately, what I realized was that the message wasn’t important to the singer, only the money that could be made off of it. In other words, it wasn't true worship but merely a decent gig that paid his bills.
17 For we are not, like so many, [like hucksters making a trade of] peddling God’s Word [shortchanging and adulterating the divine message]; but like [men] of sincerity and the purest motive, as [commissioned and sent] by God, we speak [His message] in Christ (the Messiah), in the [very] sight and presence of God. 2 Corinthians 2:16-17 AMPC
As time has progressed, I have met with many pastors all over different parts of the world. I have noticed the same thing to be true in the lives of most pastors as well. Most of the people that I've met that preach about God have very little evidence that they actually follow Him themselves.
15 After all, though you should have ten thousand teachers (guides to direct you) in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the glad tidings (the Gospel). 16 So I urge and implore you, be imitators of me. 17 For this very cause I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and trustworthy child in the Lord, who will recall to your minds my methods of proceeding and course of conduct and way of life in Christ, such as I teach everywhere in each of the churches. 18 Some of you have become conceited and arrogant and pretentious, counting on my not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you [and] shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will perceive and understand not what the talk of these puffed up and arrogant spirits amount to, but their force (the moral power and excellence of soul they really possess). 20 For the kingdom of God consists of and is based on not talk but power (moral power and excellence of soul). 21 Now which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of correction, or with love and in a spirit of gentleness? 1 Corinthians 4:15-21 AMPC
I have noticed that a lot of people preach about God but continue to live for themselves. How much credibility would Jesus have if He never actually did what He preached about? How could Jesus tell us to pick up a cross if He never actually bothered to pick up His?
17 Brethren, together follow my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you. 18 For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, who walk (live) as enemies of the cross of Christ (the Anointed One). 19 They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery (perdition); their god is their stomach (their appetites, their sensuality) and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party. Philippians 3:17-19 AMPC
The reality is that when we think of Jesus, usually the first thing we think about is Him dying on the Cross. Yes, of course, He preached all over in many places but, ultimately, we accept His message because He was willing to die for it.
We see a similar story with Paul. He wasn't preaching just to preach. He actually had scars on his body to prove that he was practicing what he was preaching.
17 From now on let no person trouble me [by making it necessary for me to vindicate my apostolic authority and the divine truth of my Gospel], for I bear on my body the [brand] marks of the Lord Jesus [the wounds, scars, and other outward evidence of persecutions—these testify to His ownership of me]! Galatians 6:17 AMPC
We hear Paul talk about his own personal sacrifices that came with bearing the weight of his own Cross. We know that Paul wasn't perfect, but that never stopped him from giving all that he had to pursuing God with all of his heart.
24 O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death? 25 O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:24-25 AMPC
We are so quick to take someone's word spiritually even though they can’t tell us the last time they did anything uncomfortable because of their commitment to Christ.
6 I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ (the Messiah) [and that you are transferring your allegiance] to a different [even an opposition] gospel. 7 Not that there is [or could be] any other [genuine Gospel], but there are [obviously] some who are troubling and disturbing and bewildering you [with a different kind of teaching which they offer as a gospel] and want to pervert and distort the Gospel of Christ (the Messiah) [into something which it absolutely is not]. Galatians 1:6-7 AMPC
Imagine if you were about to have a brain surgery and found out that the doctor actually never had experience before your operation. I’m sure you would request someone else. So why are we so quick to listen to people that can’t prove that they have picked up the cross themselves? Perhaps, if we never take a closer look at the people who are leading us we never have to take a closer look at ourselves. We must ask ourselves, are we being led by a performer of the Gospel or by a follower of the Gospel?
Question of the Day: Are you looking for entertainment or experience?
