Maybe You’re Kanye

 

If you’re between the ages of 20-30 years old, then you most certainly have been around the music of Kanye West. Kanye is one of the largest and most influential artists of the 2000s and undoubtedly has shaped the worldview of our country. If you are up to date with your pop-culture news (admittedly I am usually lost on this subject) then you have watched Kanye transform from calling himself a god to saying he is now saved by God. This is a huge turn in the life of Kanye, and due to his long list of sins that have been on display publicly for over a decade, it is understandable that many people are skeptical of Kanye truly coming to faith. This past Friday, Kanye released a gospel album, where he really does seem to have a heart for God. So in light of who Kanye is, and what he is claiming is true about his life, I see only three options for what could be going on. 

One option is that all of this is a publicity stunt. 

Kanye has been in the spotlight for years, and maybe him claiming Christ is just a way to stay in the spotlight. Maybe he knows that there may not have been a better way to gain more listeners and stay relevant than to record a gospel album and reach cultures that have never listened to his music closely. In all honesty, isn’t following Jesus a front that many people in our culture have (for example a politician to get votes) just so that we can further our own kingdom? 

Option two is that Kanye grew up in our “Christian society” but really doesn’t understand the implications of following Jesus. 

What I mean here is that many people in our country know about the story of Jesus, probably even know the idea of  “Jesus died for my sins”, and may have even been baptized. Yet their life doesn’t add up to claiming this is true. When we look at them and how they act, we don’t really see a reflection of a heart that truly knows Jesus. We don’t see someone who understands the weight of Christ’s death on the cross for their sins, because we watch them continue to live in their sin. Maybe this is what is going on with Kanye. Perhaps he knows the biblical language, but it really isn’t true for him.

The last option is that Kanye really has become a Christian. 

To put it how Kanye does in his song “God Is”, perhaps “To whom the son sets free is free indeed. He saved a wretch like me.” Could it be, that God could have truly forgiven Kanye of all his sin? Could it be that Kanye really has come to know our living Savior? Only time will tell if this is true. We may never know the answer until Christ returns, but can I say that I pray that this is true. Or better yet, can I call us all to humbly hope that Kanye really has been saved? As we read the Bible it teaches us that we need to pray, hope, and beg for others to come to know Jesus. I urge you to pray for Kanye.

Aren’t most of us one of these Kanyes? I know that I am just like Kanye in my sin. I would be just as unrighteous before my God if Christ had not intervened. So I will proudly say with Kanye, “To whom the son sets free is free indeed. He saved a wretch like me.” For this is our only hope. So which Kanye are you?