Matthew West’s New Song Encourages Listeners To Find Their Identity In Christ
By Movieguide® Contributor
Grammy-nominated Christian artist Matthew West opened up about the hot-button theme of identity in his latest hit song “You Changed My Name.”
“Are we not in a world right now that is completely obsessed with identity–and, moreover, with taking the power into our own hands to create and recreate our identity?” West said. “And this song is just a powerful truth that you are who God says you are.”
The song describes the transformative spiritual life found in Christ (“You changed my name, from too far gone to saved by grace”) and tells the believer, “I don’t have to answer to any name but chosen child of God.”
West added, “There’s something about the false promise of social media that people can create this whole identity that’s not even them. We’re catfishing ourselves.”
“In today’s world, you will not be a follower of Christ and get very far before being confronted with the contradiction of the way of the world and the Jesus way,” West went on. “Identity is the topic right there. If you’re not celebrating people taking and redefining their own identity, then you are at odds with the world…As a believer and a follower of Christ, we have to be willing to stand up for what our belief is.”
West called “You Changed My Name” a “commentary on the power of God’s grace to change us from who we were, to who He’s made us to be.”
Movieguide® previously reported on West’s single and upcoming album:
Christian music artist Matthew West is ready for the release of his double album My Story Your Glory and gave fans a taste of the new tracks with a single, “You Changed My Name.”
West wrote about the new song in a recent Instagram post and explained the meaning and inspiration behind the song.
“It doesn’t matter what the world calls you, what the enemy calls you, what your past calls you, or what you’ve called yourself,” he wrote. “You are who God says you are. ‘How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)’ New year, new you. Make the choice to answer to no other name but the name you’ve been given: Chosen Child of God.”
West spoke about the song further, calling it “the song declaring the powerful truth in knowing our true identity in Christ.”
“I can’t wait to lead this in worship and I hope its message will remind us all that we are not only saved by grace, we are changed by grace,” the musician shared.
In a post from last year, West said that My Story Your Glory tells his story, but also the stories of others.
“My Story Your Glory is more than just a motto for me,” West wrote on Instagram. “And turns out, it’s more than just a song. It’s my next DOUBLE ALBUM!”
He continued, “Most of you know me for the stories I share about myself and others who grant me the privilege of sharing their stories. The first part of this album, My Story, is a collection of those personal songs that show how God is working in our everyday lives. Part two, Your Glory, is the first full set of vertical, worship songs that I have written for one of my records.”
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