(James) I originally wrote this song for a friend to play at their wedding. I really liked the song, but felt like I couldn’t play it again after the wedding was over. Being a worship writer, I thought it might work to turn it into a worship song eventually, but it sat on the shelf for at least 2 years.
It wasn’t until Paul Sabino, one of the pastors of Can Deo Church in Cedar Falls, came down as a guest preacher to give a sermon that I was inspired to re-write the song. Paul spoke on the life of Joseph from the book of Genesis, who by the grace of God was able to forgive his brothers for selling him into slavery. Paul also shared a personal story of his relationship with his father, and the bitterness that grew like a cancer within him until he was able to forgive his father. Only a proper understanding of our relationship to God and of his forgiveness to us can lead us to freely forgive others who wrong us.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way; God sent his One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. Love consists in this; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we must also love one another.” - 1 John 4:7-11
(James) Even after the lyrics were written, it took quite a while to figure out how to play the song. I was stuck on a previous version of the song, which had an upbeat complex triplet feel. It wasn’t until the last practice we had as a band before recording drums that the version on the album came together. When it did, it was incredible how simple and easy everything else fell into place. We were simply trying too hard! Most of the instruments were recorded on the first or second take, and the horn arrangement (two trumpets, two trombones, and a tuba) wasn’t anything much fancier than just following along with chord tones. It’s a perfect parallel for the ease living in the freedom of the Spirit verses living a life of holding onto bitterness and anger.
lyrics
There’s a way we must know
To forgive and let go
And give only love
And give only love
For forgiveness is Christ’s
When he laid down his life
To show what is love
To show what is love
This is love
Let the whole world see
Jesus love
Though my heart is still weak
No more anger will speak
I’ll give only love
I’ll give only love
For my love comes from Christ
And in Him is my life
So let there be love
So let there be love
This is love
Let the whole world see
Jesus love
Jesus love
Jesus love
We will reap what we sow
What we water will grow
So let it be love
Let it be love
This is love
Let the whole world see
Jesus love
Jesus love
Jesus love
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