Keep it 100

William Shakespeare is probably one of the most well known famous English poets and playwrights known. His work has been integrated into seemingly every high school and college classroom for English literature while students seek to gain an understanding of the mysteries hidden beyond the pages of the written soliloquy penned during times of emotional distress. One of the most popular discourse's studied is that found in Hamlet; "To Be or Not To Be..." I can recall being assigned this very passage by Mrs. De Flores in AP English in high school; I had to stand before my class and deliver this monologue with passion and power. Needless to say, I rehearsed this passage, I studied this passage...it became real to me. So real that I delivered, and earned my A.

The unfortunate thing is that there are now allegations that all of the works attributed to William Shakespeare were really written by the 17th earl of Oxford, Edward de Vere. In fact, there is a new movie being released soon with these accusations being the plot of the movie. So what does this mean? William Shakespeare is being accused of fraudulent behavior! Whether that is true or not, I can't say. But the accusation is quite chilling. To think that something that we have seen as true or real for centuries is now under question causes me to ponder on another question...To be real or not to be? That is the new question.

We live in a society that is no longer impressed by the eloquent speaking of vain repetitious words void of demonstration and power. We want to see the manifestation of what has been said. In other words, we don't want to see it, and we certainly don't want to hear it unless there is a stamp of approval that says REAL.
In order to understand what it means to "Keep it 100," we must truly understand the state of our generation to fully grasp the importance of this philosophy of real. Today's generation of young adults were raised on talk shows (i.e. Rikki Lake, Sally Jesse Raphael, Phil Donohue, Jerry Springer, Geraldo Rivera, Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, etc). We have been conditioned to want everything "raw." It's essential in communicating with us that we receive it that way or it becomes diluted and the first thing we say is, "Keep it 100." The unfortunate thing about our awareness of "real" is that is has caused us to be desensitized or numb to situations and issues. Nothing surprises us anymore. But fortunate for us, we examine everything to the letter. Everything and everyone passes through a scan now. Nothing and no one is exempt.


With that in mind, one of the most common yet unscriptural declarations that people, including Christians, say is "only God can judge me". While that may sound like the right statement, it is certainly not an accurate statement. God has called us, the people of God, to righteously judge! That is not to be confused with criticism. But judge? Yes...that is your job.

1 Corinthians 2:15 NIV "The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgments."

1 Thessalonians 5:21 NIV "Test everything. Hold on to the good."

John 7:24 NIV "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

1 Corinthians 6:3 NIV "Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!"

There is a 90 day rule that the world's system utilizes as a way of discerning or making judgment about it's employees. It says that employees show up with false pretenses in order to secure a full time, permanent job with benefits. But within 90 days, that person's true character will show up. By day 30, tardiness has increased. By day 45, some additional bad habits have surfaced that are not conducive to a productive work environment. By day 90, HR decides if the employment relationship will work before they release unto you full benefits. In the same sense, I have for years implemented that 90 day rule. Everyone undergoes it and no one is exempt. I have made a couple of exceptions over time. And I can honestly say that each time I have done that, I have paid for that mistake greatly. But as I write this, I have recommitted myself to being who God has called me to be governmentally in the Kingdom of God. My prayer to God is the same prayer that Solomon prayed in 1 Kings 3:9 NIV, "So give your servant a discerning heart to govern between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

In conclusion, my encouragement to you is this; test everything. Leave nothing untouched. If it seems off, it likely is. Don't be afraid to examine areas that many don't want to for fear of repercussions. And by all means, KEEP IT 100 with yourself. There is no way for you to identify the "real" if you live by the "fake."