James Fortune: Fall from grace or Full of grace?

What do I do with my favorite James Fortune mp3 songs now that I've read about his recent accusations?

http://theb3.net/2014/gospel-artist-radio-host-james-fortune-arrested-charged-assault/

I saw someone say they would never listen to his music again. I have to say for a fraction of a second I agreed with this sentiment. But the Holy Spirit immediately reminded me of two vital factors:

Grace: The world has trained us to use the rising fame of music artist (for example) as a crutch for extending grace. How so? When artists rise to a position of face and status (in the world's eyes...gospel arena included) we tend to figuratively pick them up, and delicately place them on a pedestal to shimmer and shine for us. They become this perfect point of reference when we are in need of solace. In a sense they become our idols. Therefore, we are often hindered from the freedom of walking in grace because judgement (the good kind) is more alive in us. As a result we fail to see that they (like we are) simply allowing the Holy Spirit to work through them when they speak and when they produce music that glorifies God.


We are given seemingly menial tasks such as loving our spouses, praying for our enemies, and taming our tongue. And we possibly feel we are doing just that. But we surely fall short and immediately extend grace to ourselves. Just as quick as we fall short, not a moment later does a justification for our actions coming gushing from our lips, "but she did this; I can't help it, its just how I am; it was the first thing that came out of my mouth." These short comings are of no more hurtful to God as when a gospel artist divorces his spouse or is caught up in domestic abuse.

Truth: When we clearly examine ourselves, we (saints) aren't different in God's eyes? The bible says in Galatians that our sin nature is full of every evil deed (5:19). Meaning the propensity for any sin (little or big in our frail, judgmental eyes) is possible because the desire for it lives (whether much alive or lying dormant) in us. Unchecked and uncontrolled by the Holy Spirit, at any time these desires can (and will) rear their ugly heads. Jeremiah talks about the deceitfulness and depravity of our hearts. It even says we are unaware of just how evil it is (17:9).

The ugly truth is that this same flesh can arise in Pastors and gospel artists alike. We are all responsible (equally) for submitting to the Spirit's leading, keeping accountability around us and being careful of not causing others to stumble. When someone does 'fall' into sin, it is our duty as brothers in the faith to restore them gently (Galatians 6:1), rather than judge them harshly. The warning that comes is not to disown them, but to beware because we are subject to the same temptation!

I'll still jam my James Fortune because I believe when he wrote his songs, he was truly expressing his love and gratitude for what the Lord has done in his life. And I equally feel grateful. But I know I'm not perfect, God is perfecting me and often using my failures (and the grace and forgiveness that accompanies it) to do so.

Top 3 Cliches Christians should NOT use

Often when I'm scrolling down my Twitter timeline, I'll see certain cliches that sort of get under my skin. It's not the cliches in and of themselves, it's moreso when I notice Believers retweeting those statements; namely because those cliches aren't biblical truth. No judgement, I'm subject to believe the same things. I believe God has opened my eyes over time to understand certain truths so there's grace for us all. So if you've believed any of these, I pray you search scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to transform your thinking, so we aren't duped by statement that offer false comfort.
Anyways, here are my top three:








3. Love yourself.
What's meant: People often think loving yourself is the key to allowing others to love you correctly. Its' used as if its the primary step before being able to love others; or the solution to not being so needy for others to love you.

What's true: In actuality, the bible says that we already love ourselves...too much, in fact. We are quite full of pride when it comes to ourselves (check out the number of selfies we take). And those who self-loathe are also full of self, in an unhealthy way. So when it boils down to it, we are lovers of self (2 Tim. 3:2) so it's already built in. Christ simply tells us to love others AS WE LOVE (care for) OURSELVES (Mark 12: 31) implying that the self part is already taken care of. This just leaves the focus of love to others.

I think people mean well, though because they're encouraging women to respect themselves enough to not allow anyone else to degrade or misuse you. However, that is still a task for our Maker. When we find out what He says about us, He washes us with His truth and it becomes our protection.

2. God helps those who help themselves.
What's meant: This can be heard when people are attempting to encourage others to quit waiting for God to cause something to happen. If we simply put our own plans into effect, God will eventually step in the process and bless it or give us what's needed to take it to the next level.

What's true: Let's start with the idea of salvation. At it's ground level, we are in dire need. Romans 5:6 is explicit by sayins "when we are utterly helpless...Christ came at just the right time and [helped us]". And to solidify that, a few verses later Paul adds, "while we were still [in need of help], Christ died for us...". This makes it clear that God was all about helping us when we were unable to help ourselves. This same principle is true when it comes to life in general. 2 Corinthians 12:9 "His strength is made perfect in our weakness..." is an assurance that God is willing to step in once we are willing to surrender our strength and admit our inability.

1. God won't put more on you than you can bear.
*Now I know you're not feeling me on this one. After all...THAT'S SCRIPTURE KIM!!! Right? Well if anything, its a popular Kirk Franklin song that just hits the spot at the right times in life. I know, I know...i'm guilty of jamming the song and allowing tears to flood my eyes. But when I thought about the character of God, I realized, that's not even like Him to hold back from us what we can bear. In my own life, I've felt at my wits end numerous times, and in those times I ran to Him for strength and He comforted me and lifted my head. He later showed me those times were intense for a purpose: my perfecting process!

What's meant: Like I once did, people often lean on this 'comforting' phrase when life gets too hard. They want so much to believe God won't press them too far.

What's true: The scripture we pull this from: 1 Corinthians 10:13 (in its natural context) is speaking ONLY about temptation. Read verses 6-14 for yourselves. God is saying that with His Spirit living within us, though temptations will rise, we have the strength to not indulge and He will even be faithful enough to show us a way out so we will not give in to it. He will keep it from becoming so strong that we that we can actually stand!

What we might want to say, instead is what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:8-12... "I feel troubled and oppressed in every way; I suffer so much embarrassments and i'm unable to find a way out; I feel pursued and persecuted...struck down to the ground even. But I am not crushed, nor driven to despair...I'm not deserted/alone nor am I ever destroyed! All of this i'm going through are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate his power and presence in and through me!" (paraphrased).