Contemporary Gospel Music

Ok so what is gospel music to begin with? Well am glad you asked. The definition of gospel is good news. So if this is gospel music, then what is this good news music we so love to talk about. Am sure a lot of people would agree with me that music has the power to transform you from that lonely state and those estranged feelings to that vibrant self you love. But what is it then about gospel music that makes it special. Tell you what, before we can even delve into all that good stuff, I would first want submit to you that I am a firm believer in the power of words, and a big component of music is words. That’s why it matters to me what those lyrics are saying to me.

Anyhow, we’re in this age of contemporary gospel music. And to say the least, it’s overtaken a lot of us. I look at contemporary music as a tool that God has placed in our hands, hearts, and souls to reach a generation for such a time as this. Now, right from the get go, I would love to underscore that I am not neglecting the…”speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in our hearts to the Lord…” (Ephesians 5:19), that is an integral part of our Christian existence no doubt!!! All am trying to say is that God asked Moses to part the Red Sea using his rod, and yet the same God told Joshua to use the Ark of the Covenant to cross over Jordan, but in both instances, the Israelites crossed on dry land and God was glorified.

With that said, I am not suggesting that you turn off your spiritual antennas and fail to “test the spirits, whether they are of God…because by this you will know the Spirit of God: every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God” (1 John 4:1). Lord knows am glad that He has simplified His word so it’s not rocket science. You may ask, so now that we have established the obvious, what next?

The dictionary defines contemporary as existing, occurring, or living at the same time; belonging to the same time; of the present time or modern. We are living in a time when there are so many vices that the youth find themselves engaged in, but what bothers me is that no one even seems to care. We all want to have that thing that draws people to us, and as the Church of Christ, we want to know how God will use us to minister to the youth. We want to give them something that is clearly a breath of fresh air as new converts, something that won’t bore them to death, but should at the same time altogether minister to their spirits. The question on a lot of “young Christians’” minds is…so where do I draw the line and what distinguishes Spirit-filled songs from something that’s just gonna make me pop and lock. I do not claim to know it all but I guess we can try to figure it out together.

I remember growing up in a Christian family and trekking to Church every Sunday morning, mid-week Bible studies, choir rehearsal, name it I was there. But when I went to high school I got myself a boyfriend and started the whole “dedication” ritual, you know…no baby I want you to listen to this song, bla bla bla…and before I knew it, I was listening to stuff other than my “dedications”, and now I had my own play list. Slowly but surely, I was drifting from the gospel music I once loved and embraced, and it got harder by the day to sing in the choir with the same conviction I once had. Ok I know what you thinking, more like…dude what’s this got to do with contemporary gospel music? Well the point I am trying to make is like the Bible says “all things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial, all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12). I am telling you this story because all of us have what seems to be a valid excuse for listening to whatever it is we listening to, or doing whatever it is we are doing. But the question we should be asking ourselves is…how beneficial is it to us and under what subjection and slavery are we placing ourselves?

With that said, I cannot begin to count how many people I have talked to that have told me that they don’t see anything wrong in listening to whatever they are listening to because they cannot seem to tell the difference between the so called worldly music and contemporary gospel music. To be truthfully honest, a part of me doesn’t blame them at all. There have been a number of occasions when I have tuned into Christian radio stations and wondered if I had pushed the wrong button because some songs just leave a lot of questions in my mind too. It’s like am going like…”well, when are going to get to the actual gospel in this song, or is this just another feel good song?” so guess what? The only thing you and I can do is to make sure that the Holy Spirit that lives on the inside of us can confirm and testify to the lyrics of that song. It doesn’t sound so straight forward I suppose, but the simplest way to put it is…”that which is born of the flesh is flesh, but that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3: 6). And since we have the same Spirit of God in us, the spirit should bear witness to itself (Romans 8: 16).

I love me some good music, and am sure a lot of people do too. I love when I can tap to some music without even thinking about it and when my fingers snap with the beat. lol, and aint nothing wrong with having a good time in the Lord. But careful with it, it may sound good, and look good, and it sure can even seem to be “representing” but if it aint got Jesus in it, baby its shoddy and it aint gospel.

If this is too radical, then my work here is done. We are living in the end times. Therefore we need some radical authenticity in the Church. Remember, the devil “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5: 8) but I refuse to fall prey to his skims and am sure you can stand on God’s word too and reclaim everything the devil has stolen from you. If we are going to be effective in our ministries and leading this world to Christ, we are going to have to stand on the uncompromised Word of God. I like how Tye Tribbett puts it…”be black or be white, no more shades of gray, be separated, be holy, no matter what you do don’t bow, and even if you stand alone, stand anyhow”. You know why this is important? I’ll tell you why…because “the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the manifestation of the sons of God” (Romans 8: 19). This simply means that the world is waiting for us to quit giving excuses and start living lives that are worthy of the calling of Jesus Christ. We need to have that thing that will draw them to Christ, in our everyday lives, in our speech, in our conduct, and more so in our music. We are only but vessels, and God would like to use us to leave an indelible mark on this world. Therefore, “preach the word! In season, and out of season” (1 Timothy 4: 2) that includes our music too. So yes, contemporary gospel music is in the in-thing, and yes, it can be Holy Ghost filled while you dance to it. We are the generation that will change this world by the power that is living on the inside of us. And having done all to stand, stand therefore…” (Ephesians 6: 13-14).

by Mercy Ngosa.