Kirk Franklin: My Thoughts?

As a communicator, I’m very selective about what I post on Social Media/Blog about. Not because I shun good intellectual conversations and/or constructive debates—I just know that most individuals use social media platforms as a tool to demean, discredit, throw shade, and to stir up strife and division with no intention of ever having a healthy dialogue—followed by tangible solutions. Thus, I have an energy-saving emotional budget: I guard what I allow into my mind and spirit—and I do not allow things to drain me.

However, when I feel compelled to speak...I say what‘s on my heart ❤️—with hopes of raising awareness, challenging views/perspectives, etc.—ultimately using my voice to speak on things that I know I personally cannot be silent about. Do I care about all other issues? Well, yes...of course. But I’m humble enough to know that I’m not an expert or even capable of fighting every battle...I stay in my lane and I support in other ways. But, THIS issue here (the one that Kirk speaks of ) is very dear to me. Not just because I personally/unapologetically am a Christian/a person of Faith; but because the entire "bottom line" of the Gospel is Love ❤️ and Justice. In the eyes of God, all men & women are created equal, as we are mere reflections of the perfect image of God. Granted, we come from different ethnic backgrounds, various cultural experiences; we hold different titles; our upbringings aren't the same; we possess different gifts, talents, etc. But the message of the Cross is LOVE❤️ and Justice. He (Jesus) was and still is the Great Equalizer.

Therefore, I will never embrace or wrap my mind around racism, segregation, and the like, from anyone—against any race. But for the life of me, if we profess to be ambassadors of Christ, and carriers of the Gospel, how blinded are we to not know that our heart (s)❤️ need purifying and a true encounter with God/His Holy Spirit when we blatantly choose NOT to address these issues that are happening in places that have been dedicated for The Gospel? We build churches, corporations, nonprofits, etc. for the sake of The Gospel, yet utterly failing to "Be" The Gospel. People followed Jesus because he was a Man of His Word. He lived what he taught & preached. Hence, it’s an insult to the cross when “people of faith” refuse to address these issues. We are the salt of the earth. We are the "Difference Makers!"

"You are like salt for the whole human race. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it." -Matthew 5:13

In essence, if we fail to "Be" who we profess to be, we are of no real use. It's that simple.

If we are looking for approval and acceptance, we must educate ourselves as this life (the Christian Life) will birth opposition (of course, we must battle from a place of Love and righteousness...not from a place of hate and religious fanaticalness). In fact, per scripture, we are well aware that the Gospel will draw enemies: “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” 1John 3:13 KJV

But, as Christians, we are not of the World. Our job is to "openly" stand against hate.

Overall, our goal isn’t to be liked. We will be hated for our righteous stance. The Gospel is more than filling up our churches, collecting offerings, hosting events, etc. (of course these things aren’t bad when they are in the hands of men and women of integrity—it’s just not the overall objective). It’s doing what Jesus did. He sat with the adulterous woman and forgave her, instructing her to sin no more; he disrupted/combated cultural & racial views that divided people; he defended the weak; he was a voice for those who had no voice; he rebuked the religious community and their leaders for hyper focusing on laws instead of love; he visited and healed the sick; he ate with publicans—and the list goes on. He did everything the religious people told him not to do. THIS (what Jesus did) is the real message of the cross.

In conclusion (I really have more insight to share but I’ll save it for another post): I stand with Kirk.

Canena Adams, LLBSW, MA, SRAS

WOW Founder & Director

Email: Worthit@wowjackson.org