Will My “Jesus Piece” Save Me From Hell?

By: DJ Civil Rightz

Leviticus 19:4

“Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the Lord your God.”

I grew up listening to Hip-Hop, idolizing everything rappers talked about in their music videos and albums. I started noticing my clothes getting baggier, my haircuts becoming fancier, and I had more chains around my neck than Slick Rick and Rakim put together. I was embracing the Hip-Hop culture to the fullest. Honestly, for years I never was offended by rappers wearing religious jewelry either. I figured it was an expression of their faith and a form of communication to their audience. My spiritual eyes were opened later on when I became a “Born Again” Christian. God later revealed to me how “secular” artists were practicing “Idolatry” whenever they wore a “Jesus Piece”. My soul became extremely convicted from this profound wisdom from the Book of Leviticus. I remember throwing away all of my jewelry that represented a form of cast metal in the sight of God Almighty.

Growing up as a Hip-Hop fan, I couldn’t help but notice so many different rappers wearing “Jesus Pieces” around their necks for fashion. Still today Hip-Hop is known for influencing our younger generation into thinking they have the green light to abuse women verbally in their lyrics, throw money at them in a strip-club, brag about how much money they have, while wearing a “Jesus Piece” indicating Jesus will forgive them from such acts if they die unrepentant.

You may ask yourself why does Hip-Hop walk blindly in the street of deception? Could it be that their grandparents raised them in the church when they were younger but later on they stopped attending church? Or some mentor in jail talked to them about Christ but they rejected the Godly wisdom? Or could it be they may have picked up a Bible and read it cover to cover, like rapper Lil’ Wayne said he did during his prison stint, but they weren’t ready to receive Jesus’ words in their heart. Jesus Himself said in John 5:39

“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.”

I am disgusted at the fact these artists wear the Jesus Christ chain while promoting foul language in their lyrical content, degrading women that God created, blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and bragging about money, fame , and godless living (Exodus 20:3-6). Artists will spend anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 for a diamond-encrusted “Jesus Piece” to floss in a music video and for their fans as if they are actually living a life of “Holiness” before a Holy God. This level of deception has captivated Hip-Hop for generations. A secular rapper by the name of Ace Hood released his new album entitled “Trials and Tribulations”. On the track called “My Bible”, Ace Hood brags about his “Jesus Pieces” and how the demons are not allowed to mess with him while the chain is around his neck.

In Ace Hood’s second verse he quotes:

How sweet is the sound

Bloodsuckers, never trust em’ I don’t keep em’ around

Holding on to my jesus piece, no demons allowed.

Also, in the second verse Ace Hood makes another reference to the Jesus Piece falsely making him appear untouchable:

20 jesus pieces on me like I can't be touched

Every soul needs to be saved but it can't be rushed

People dying everyday just pray it ain't one of us

Keep my bible right beside me know what god I trust.

Yes lord, amen, amen

The Bible says in John 10:27,

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

The reason why Ace Hood is confused on biblical wisdom is because he isn’t listening to the gentle voice of Jesus Christ. Ace has created his own version of who Jesus is to fit his godless lifestyle. Christ knows who his sheep are and in the end everything hidden will be revealed. Ace Hood has misinterpreted the scriptures in the bible on this blasphemous song and he is convinced that 20 “Jesus Pieces” will keep demons away from bringing destruction in his life. He also brings to our attention that every soul needs salvation, but this process can be put off to a later date perhaps. The bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 6:2

“For God says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.”

Ace is playing Russian roulette with his own soul just like the rest of the Hip-Hop music industry is by painting a false image of Christianity and rejecting true salvation through faith in Christ Jesus alone and not through a piece of jewelry that never saved anybody to begin with. Lastly, Ace mentioned, “He keeps his bible next to him in God he trust.” Somewhere he missed the point of seeking Christ with a broken, contrite heart, in desperate need of salvation, by seeking Christ’ face in his heart and not around his neck in the form of an idol.

Rappers floss this image of worshipping the jewels around their necks flooded with diamonds, failing to realize they become a walking target in the streets to be robbed. Recently, rapper 2 Chainz was robbed at gunpoint for his chains and money. What bothers the CHH community the most is the fact secular artists spend thousands of dollars on a "Jesus Piece" and fail to surrender their life over to his obedience. They wear the chain all around the world giving Christ a bad representation due to their godless lifestyle. The level of deception is so heavy in the hip-hop realm that artists really are convinced as long as they spend big money on a "Jesus Piece" they are safe from going to hell when they die. Rappers have no desire to repent of their sins, nor to influence society in any righteous way through Christ Jesus, and they have the audacity to say, "Only God can Judge Me" thinking that it will excuse their blasphemous lifestyle. God created all men in His image to accept Jesus Christ into their heart and turn from their wicked ways. God has big plans for every artist if they will put pride to the side and submit to his Lordship.

Let’s take rapper LeCrae for instance, he loves Jesus Christ, so where is his “Jesus Piece” at? There is no need for one. LeCrae’s trust is in Jesus Christ alone, not in a piece of jewelry. Here are 5 quick wisdom treats to share with the Hip-Hop industry:

LeCrae/Hip-Hop Industry: Hip-Hop has the “light” before their eyes through the platform God Almighty has given LeCrae. There will be no excuses on judgment day (Romans 1:20)

Repentence/Hip-Hop Industry: Every secular artist needs to repent and turn from their sin before it is too late. God has gifted many rappers and singers with the ability to perform and reach millions of people through music. Through “Free Will” they will have to decide to make that choice of how they use their craft.

Salvation/Hip-Hop Industry: Once the artist, no matter the genre, has repented and emptied themselves like Jesus Christ did for us, the process of salvation now will begin to work on their behalf putting 100% trust in Jesus and not a platinum chain. Responsibility to the fans/Hip-Hop Industry: The Holy Spirit will usher in to equip the rapper with the biblical tools he/she will need to lead many out of darkness and into the light through the art-form of Christian rap.

Leadership as a saved rapper/Hip-Hop Industry: The artist at this stage will be able to teach, perform and reach communities, through the outlet of ministry for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The secular music industry is currently making a shift in topics and style of delivery right now. Kendrick Lamar, , , Jay-Z, J. Cole and many more are paying close attention to LeCrae and his lyrical content and this is putting extreme pressure on all of the top MC’s in the rap game now. Almost every rap album being released lately has some form of Christianity in its content. What is confusing to the fans is why persecute Christ in your music only to turn around and hope He will save your soul in the end?

Let me leave you with this thought. It does not matter how many “Jesus Pieces” a person may buy with the false hope they will be saved through it. At the end of the day Jesus Christ our Savior wants a real relationship with us. The type of relationship that penetrates the heart, refining the entire person, allowing the person to stand acceptable in God’s presence after this life. A platinum chain never saved anyone from the Lake of fire and even though rappers may sell millions of records it still will not be enough to save their souls in the end. We rejoice in proclaiming the Cross and what Christ did for us upon it. Through the form of rap, we have the opportunity to be the “light of the world” to all men and this comes with transparency by displaying our lifestyle through our music, faith, ministry, and culture every single day.