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Throughout the years I have received many letters in regard to the question of styles of music and which one does "God prefer?" Here's an example:
| "Music is a fair and glorious gift of God. I am strongly persuaded that after theology, there is no art which can be placed on the level with music. The devil flees before the sound of music almost as much as before the Word of God." (Martin Luther) |
Often people are offended and stumble over the messenger God chooses to speak through. As a result they miss the message. Many people were offended (Greek word definition: scandalized, or made to stumble) by John the Baptist. Here was a man who lived in the desert, announcing the coming judgment, and wearing clothes made of camel's hair. (I wonder how that smelled.) He had a leather strap around his waist and his diet consisted of grasshoppers and wild honey! Could this guy get in your church on Sunday morning? Jesus asked the crowds later about John: "What kind of man did you go out to see? Was he someone dressed in fine clothes? He was a prophet and even more than a prophet." (Matthew 11:7-9)
| "Rock and Roll and God work together in the hands of someone who loves them both." (The London Times in regard to English rock and roll singer Cliff Richard). |
| "He's the rock that rolled my sins away." (Larry Norman) |
Question: Which one is more spiritual and acceptable to God?
The bottom line, the litmus test, the final criterion: "By their fruits (deeds) you will know them." (Matthew 7:16-20)
Each of the people that I have presented on radio, television, or stage have been evaluated according to this standard. Certainly, none of these artists have "arrived." We recognize that each individual varies in spiritual maturity, which affects the depth of the message coming through their lives. The message can only be as mature as the messenger. However, I do recognize that tens of thousands of lives have been influenced and often changed toward the purposes of the Kingdom of God by the lives and artistry of the majority of people we have given a platform to throughout the years.
And we will continue to do so, until together, throughout the heavens and earth we all "sing a new song before the throne!" (Revelation 5:9 & 14:3).
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