Paul Baloche is one of the most acclaimed worship artists and songwriters of our time. Winner of multiple Dove Awards, he has penned radio hits such as "Because of Your Love," "Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)," "All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises" and "Our God Saves" and he has written top-ranking CCLI songs and modern-day classics including "Above All," "Open the Eyes of My Heart," "Offering" and "Your Name." Integrity Music is honored to present The Same Love, an all-new collection of songs that reflect his heart, and his passion for the Church. 

 

Celebrating 20 years of music and ministry, modern worship trailblazer Paul Baloche released his acclaimed, 12th recording with Integrity Music, The Same Love, April 3.  With "Christ the Lord" and "All Because of the Cross" from The Same Love already being adopted this past Easter by many churches, Baloche is also offering a free song, "We Are Saved," from the album through his website, www.leadworship.com. The song was written by Baloche along with Hillsong's Ben Fielding and One Sonic Society's Jason Ingram.  In addition to Fielding and Ingram, Baloche was joined by accomplished songwriters Kari Jobe, Lincoln Brewster, Ed Kerr and All Sons & Daughters, among others, together delivering 13 compelling tracks composed in community. 

 

Baloche also shares vocals on songs with Jobe, Fielding, Ingram, All Sons & Daughters, Brothers McClurg and Kathryn Scott. Co-produced with Ben Gowell and Michael Rossback, while GRAMMY Award-winning engineer Chris Lord-Alge (U2/Switchfoot) mixed the title track, first single and music video from the project, The Same Love forges a progressive path musically. 

 

My favorite song on The Same Love is the first single and title track which offers a view of our God and our reliance on Him. I had the great opportunity to interview Paul in person about his song before his concert in Marlton, New Jersey near where he grew up. Here's what he shared with me about the song.

 

Please describe the background in writing the song "The Same Love" and what's the main message of the song to you personally?
 

This past year was kind of a benchmark year for me personally. In terms of being married 25 years, being with Integrity Music for 20 years. As a writer and an artist, at my home church in Texas for over 20 years. There were a lot of milestones. I grew up not far from here in New Jersey, and I played music at a lot of clubs in this area. I was born again when I was 18 years old, and the idea of this song is that the same Love that radically changed my life about 25 years ago, still compels me to want to walk in obedience and serve the Lord. I am compelled to pick up my cross daily and follow Jesus. That's what we are called to do. 

 

Luke 9:23-24: "Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."

 

Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

 

How can listeners apply that message in their walk with God?
 

In the bridge, we sing "You're calling, You're calling, You're calling us to the cross." Jesus is calling us to something, that's where freedom ultimately is found. We love the thought of God calling us and we think, oh that's great, He loves us. But He's really calling us to die to ourselves to find freedom and liberty in Him. It was important for me to think about people in the verses like "the cynic." I get that to a degree. People who have been wounded from past church experiences. We live in an age of cynicism and jaded people. Also, the faithless. A lot of people feel like they've messed up and God's not happy with me and so they don't think about God. We want to communicate what's in the Bible, that God calls the faithless ones. Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful. The song tells everyone that Jesus is saying "You are mine." He tells the cynic, the proud, "Come to Me now, I'm calling you." The same Jesus we read about in the Bible is calling us this present day.

 

 

Asbury's Bible commentary: "The denial of the self Jesus commended is the removal of self from the center of ambition and the setting of Him in that place. It involves taking up the cross and following Him on the road of sacrifice and suffering. Only through the refusal to rely on earthly security is salvation attainable. Anyone who is ashamed of Him will be accountable at the Last Day."

 

I love songs that are filled with biblical truth, and several stand-out tracks on the album have biblical references, especially "We Are Saved," "My Hope," "Reign In Me" and "Look Upon The Lord." The album is filled with catchy and inspirational songs for the Church. 

 

In "The Same Love," Baloche softly sings "The same God that spread the heavens wide, the same God that was crucified, Is calling us all by name, You are calling us all by name." Jesus is ever true to His Word. What He spoke on earth, He affirms in heaven. The Word is a message of grace. We can all take comfort in the Truth expressed in this song which comes directly from God's Word: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Amen to that!

 

(You can watch the music video here.)