Since its inception, the CM has chosen to define themselves as the Christian or holy division of hip hop culture as opposed to the hip hop or rap division of Christian culture. Within the genre of rap music, there are various subgenres such as gangsta rap, Conscious rap, old school rap, crunk, and reggaeton, but all of it falls under the rubric of rap and, by extension, hip hop. In choosing to define their music as simply being another subgenre - i.e., the Christian rap subgenre - of hip hop culture, the CM attempts to "keep it real" in order to maintain the validity needed to influence members of hip hop culture who may or may not be Christians. In their 2003 release, Holy Culture, The CM stated their reasoning is based on a passage from the Bible, St. John 17:15-19 in which Jesus is reported to have said to God:
“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
As the word sanctified means "to set apart", the interpretation maintained by the CM is that they are instructed by Jesus to remain a part of hip hop culture while being set apart from the majority of the followers of hip hop culture in order to influence it from within to conform to the mores and moral code preached by the followers of mainstream Christianity. The acceptance of this interpretation has been mixed, however. Despite their claim to be a part of hip hop culture, the CM has slowly found more acceptance, though not total acceptance, in the Christian community than in the secular hip hop community as the majority of their concerts are held at churches or church-sponsored events as opposed to secular venues. In 2006, the CM received a Grammy nomination for “Best Rock Gospel Album,” as opposed to any of the traditional hip hop or rap categories. Additionally, the CM has generally only been recognized at Christian and Gospel awards shows such as the Dove Awards or Stellar Awards as opposed to hip hop-only award shows such as the Source Awards or the Vibe Awards.
Times Table
The Cross Movement Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As time stretches, sketches of a blood drenched cross
Flood my thoughts, my heart feels pain for the lost
They remain their own boss, play but the games' lost
Not jus anyone can hang to pay what it cost unblemished
Arms hang from East to West, said "It's finished"
Sin got rocked, when the Love stepped in it
Christ got pound, in town center like it was Greenwich
And keep her rims spinnin, yeah they shinnin but listen
Huh, we're dinnin wit death, jus as long as we're livin
Contradiction, I think not, the Bible's non-fiction
And life is but a vapor, wiped away wit omniscience
What will you answer be to a God who's risen
Wit all power, your hour is comin trust you wont miss it
Or better yet it wont miss you
I promise, my God is the bombest, what He says come true
And He said through men wit pens
That if I believe in the Son Jesus Christ, I can get back to Him
Through one man came sin, the other came life
The first man was Adam, the last man was Christ
(Chorus)
One plant, one race, one life, one cross
One sin, one end, cause Man was lost
One Father, one Son, one Spirit and all
Men must come through Him, cause thats what it cost
(T.R.U.-L.I.F.E.)
You'll be judged like Ito, light or the heat yo
Despite what you think, to Christ there's no equal
Chose eternal life or crash and burn like Kenievel
They all fall down, when to ball is the steelo
He'll back will you leave as one of His people
Or be stuck, cause your tried to push a camel through a needle
I couldnt imagine what had to happen
A father turned His back on His Son
Let Him take the wrath and smashed Him
His life lad down, equals love everlastin
I'm hype on grace now it far exceeds cheddar stackin
I got better backin from a smaller label
My stomach is full, I dont eat from the kings table
(Chorus)
In this song by The Cross Movement, "Times Table", the lyrics are discussing the inevitability of judgement day and the importance of believing in Jesus Christ. The first verse speaks about how the image of the cross and the sacrifice of Jesus can flood the thoughts of people who understand its magnitude, and how some individuals stubbornly choose to be their own boss and play games, even though they risk losing everything. The second verse speaks about the consequences of falling away from Christ, while also emphasizing the immense love and grace that God offers through his son Jesus Christ. The chorus emphasizes the idea that there is only one way to salvation and that all men must come through Jesus.
Additionally, the lyrics contemplate the significance of life's brevity and the promise of eternity. The song warns that we will all face judgement and that we must choose whether we want to experience eternal life or eternal damnation. The lyrics also challenge listeners to consider their priorities and to focus on spiritual things rather than worldly possessions like money and status.
Line by Line Meaning
As time stretches, sketches of a blood drenched cross
The image of the bloody cross becomes more vivid over time.
Flood my thoughts, my heart feels pain for the lost
The thought of lost souls brings emotional pain.
They remain their own boss, play but the games' lost
The lost continue to live as if they are in control, but they are headed towards defeat.
Not jus anyone can hang to pay what it cost unblemished
Only a perfect sacrifice could pay the cost of sin without any blemish.
Arms hang from East to West, said "It's finished"
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross accomplished salvation for all.
Sin got rocked, when the Love stepped in it
The power of sin was defeated by love.
Christ got pound, in town center like it was Greenwich
Jesus was publicly executed in the town square like a common criminal.
Now my ex-girl the world only wants to chase spinach
The world values money and material possessions over spiritual things.
And keep her rims spinnin, yeah they shinnin but listen
The world seeks to impress others with their wealth and possessions, but it is empty.
Huh, we're dinnin wit death, jus as long as we're livin
Death is always present, and our time on earth is limited.
Contradiction, I think not, the Bible's non-fiction
The Bible is not contradictory, but a non-fictional account of truth.
And life is but a vapor, wiped away wit omniscience
Life is fleeting and can be taken away at any moment by God's knowledge and wisdom.
What will you answer be to a God who's risen
Everyone will have to answer to the risen God for their actions and beliefs.
Wit all power, your hour is comin trust you wont miss it
Everyone will face judgment and their fate cannot be avoided or escaped.
Or better yet it wont miss you
Judgment will not overlook anyone.
I promise, my God is the bombest, what He says come true
God is powerful and trustworthy, and His promises always come true.
And He said through men wit pens
God spoke through human writers of the Bible.
That if I believe in the Son Jesus Christ, I can get back to Him
Salvation and a relationship with God is possible through faith in Jesus Christ.
Through one man came sin, the other came life
Adam brought sin into the world, but Jesus brought eternal life through His sacrifice.
One plant, one race, one life, one cross
There is only one way to salvation through Jesus Christ.
One sin, one end, cause Man was lost
Sin brought about human separation from God.
One Father, one Son, one Spirit and all
The Trinity is the one true God and the only way to salvation.
Men must come through Him, cause thats what it cost
Salvation can only be obtained through faith in Jesus Christ.
You'll be judged like Ito, light or the heat yo
Everyone will face judgment, and it is up to them whether they will experience light or heat (punishment).
Despite what you think, to Christ there's no equal
Jesus is the only one who can save and there is no comparison.
Chose eternal life or crash and burn like Kenievel
People have a choice to accept eternal life or face damnation.
They all fall down, when to ball is the steelo
Worldly possessions and power cannot save people from judgment.
He'll back will you leave as one of His people
Those who accept Jesus as their savior will become part of His people.
Or be stuck, cause your tried to push a camel through a needle
It is impossible for people to earn salvation through their own efforts.
I couldnt imagine what had to happen
It is difficult to imagine the sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity.
A father turned His back on His Son
God the Father turned away from Jesus when He bore the sins of the world.
Let Him take the wrath and smashed Him
Jesus took the punishment for our sins and was crucified.
His life lad down, equals love everlastin
Jesus' sacrifice was an act of everlasting love.
I'm hype on grace now it far exceeds cheddar stackin
The grace of God is a greater treasure than any worldly wealth or success.
I got better backin from a smaller label
The support of God is greater than any human support or success.
My stomach is full, I dont eat from the kings table
Spiritual fulfillment is more satisfying than material wealth or success.
Contributed by Molly B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shawn Mayhall Sr.
on Name Up
Who is the first artist on this track ????