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Apparently Americans are no longer free to get up and walk out on a performance or awards show or speech without being accused of all sorts of crazy vile things.  (Funny thing, I have people get up and walk out while I'm preaching nearly every Sunday.  Some return.  Others stay gone.  But nobody is accusing them of crazy vile things.)

Christian music artist Natalie Grant left the Grammy's early.  Perhaps nobody would have noticed had she not tweeted that her thoughts on the awards show would stay inside her own head, and that she was proud to sing for Jesus.

One might wonder what in the world any true Christian is doing at the Grammy's anyway.  Granted, they still do give awards to gospel singers, but it may be high time those gospel singers stage a mass exodus or walk-out!   When I was a kid, the Grammy's were by and large about good music.  Now the Grammy's are all about foisting the liberal Hollywood agenda on TV viewers around the world.  So, it should not have shocked anyone that the Grammy's used their platform this year to promote and celebrate and flaunt those living a homosexual lifestyle making so-called marriage vows.

And news media like NBC's Today Show were even taken aback by Beyonce's sultry opener.  Apparently it's OK for her to do this so long as it's not at 8 pm EST.  That's too early to simulate the sex act on a world-wide stage while wearing next to nothing.  (And as far as I know Beyonce still claims to be a "Christian."  There could not possibly be a looser use of the label.)

Now, for the record, I did not watch the Grammy's.  Haven't seen 'em in years and have no plans to ever watch them again.  My heart struggles enough with good old-fashioned lust without me setting that kind of filth in front of my face.  I do wonder, however, how many Christian men did watch and never admitted the internal lust that was boiling in them while they viewed that lust-fest.  God says, "make no provision for the flesh to gratify its lusts" (Romans 13:14).  We need to fight sin God's way!  We'll never experience victory over the powerful presence of sin in our flesh if we go on indulging ourselves right along with our depraved culture.

The morning news outlets, however, reported enough on the Grammy's for me to get the gist.  Rather than make this a lengthy diatribe urging believers in Jesus to "flee immorality" (1 Cor 6:18) and to "come out from among them and be separate" (2 Cor 6:17), I think I'll let Natalie Grant get the last word.  After all the hullabaloo, she posted these words:

I NEVER said I left during any particular performance. I only said I left early.
I never pointed out any one particular performance, I only said I had many thoughts about the entire show, which were best left inside my head and that is where they will stay. So those who say I condemned one performance but then condoned others clearly did not read the post.
What I DID say is this: I am honored to be a part of the Christian music community. I've had many people throughout my career ask why I never tried to go in to mainstream music and last night was a beautiful reminder that I love singing about Jesus and FOR Jesus.
I've judged no one. I hate no one. And I believe that every person has been created in the image of God. I will never stand on a street corner and wave a sign, I won't use my platform to engage in political arguments that will only divide and not unite. I will continue to pray that my life will be my message. I do have my own personal convictions that I live by, and I will continue to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord. (Philippians 2:12)
I was honored to be nominated for 2 Grammy awards last night. I'm so grateful that NARAS and The Grammys continue to recognize the contribution that gospel and Christian music make to the world. And I'm so thrilled for those who won in my categories. And I can say that with all sincerity.
My last thought:
"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus for it is the power of God who brings salvation to ALL who believe."
Romans 1:16

by Keith McWhorter