If you are a fan of classic Christian rock you'll want to check out the newly formed band The Union of Sinners and Saints, led by John Schlitt (lead singer of Petra) and Billy Smiley (guitarist, singer and founding member of Whiteheart). I was saved in 1999, and credit the biblical messages behind the songs in Christian music for leading me to Christ. I was very edified by Petra's Praise and Worship Release Petra Praise 2: We Need Jesus which includes "Show Your Power," "I Love You Lord" and "We Need Jesus."

The Union of Sinners and Saints is a project including eight new original songs and updated versions of Petra and Whiteheart classics, making it a must-have for fans of both groups. John Ellis, lead singer from Tree 63, is featured on guitar and vocals. Along with bassist Anthony Sallee of Whiteheart, Jason Fowler will also join the guys on the road. In connection with Memorial Day and Independence Day, I had the chance to speak with John Schlitt about the patriotic new original song "Lone Soldier."

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

This song was pretty natural from the beginning. I had a great father here on earth, and I had a good relationship with him. Unlike a lot of people, thinking of God as my Father was a good thing for me. When you put together the words of the song to mean earthly father and our Heavenly Father, it can mean different things. 

In this case, it is geared towards a soldier mentality, but we are all soldiers in Christ. We are all in God's army, and that makes us soldiers in everything we do. The song can also be geared towards our veteran brothers and sisters serving in wars who have gone through so much more than we could ever know. 

"Hello Father, good to be back home," is how the song starts. But that's hard for anyone. Even in our everyday lives. What's so neat about Christ is that even what others would consider petty is important to Him. It can be a heartfelt cry from anyone. From a veteran who has seen something we'll never understand to the common person who hasn't experienced much more pain than a stubbed toe. The song can apply to anyone.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

James 1:2-4 (NIV): "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Psalm 60:12 (The Voice): "Only through God can we be successful. It is God alone who will defeat our enemies and bring us victory!"

Psalm 18:39 (NIV): "You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me."

Psalm 55:18 (NIV): "He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me."

Romans 5:3-5 (NASB): "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

Colossians 3:1 (NIV): "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."

Ephesians 2:6 (NIV): "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."

2 Corinthians 10:2-5 (NIV): "I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. For though we live in the world; we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

What is the takeaway message?

You can look at this song through secular eyes about soldiers coming back from a battle or war, and dealing with the earthly struggle of that experience, mental, spiritual and physical. Another way you can think of it is spiritually. We are soldiers for Christ. It is always going to be a battle. We may sit in our churches with our doors shut, but that's not life. There is always going to be a battle until Christ returns. We need to be prayer warriors against the onslaught of the Enemy. Also, go forward and preach the Word of God, even when it isn't comfortable. For me, a soldier for Christ is a powerful, gutsy person, female or male, whether in prayer or in physical combat. I don't think we should short-change God in any way that He chooses to use us.

We realized we had a lot of new ideas swirling around in our heads that we wanted to share, both musically and lyrically; songs that were on our hearts and minds. And yet we also wanted to celebrate with all of our friends and fans some of the memorable songs, moments, and performances that they have been a part of over the years. "Independence Day" was a fun song for me to record, and I tried my best to carry and match the quality that Rick carried in the song. It was easier to sing "Lone Soldier," because Billy and I wrote it, but remaking a song I already thought was done well is always a challenge.

Lyrics:
Hello Father, good to be back home
Hello Father, cuz I've been on my own
And it's been hard
Walking this by myself
This lonely road seems so cold

Tell me Father is there something you can say
Tell me Father, there's gotta be a better way
Cuz dreams are clouds that seem to slip on through
Can't find the key to this mystery

Don't turn away - Don't toss the hope of a lone soldier
Cuz it ain't over til you find what is there for you
Don't think you're done cuz voices say that it's over
Just be bolder, we've all got a gift to use

Teach me Father, there's so much I can learn
Teach me Father, walk me through every turn
I'm oh so ready, please take me through this land
This land of hope is where I stand

Don't turn away - Don't toss the hope of a lone soldier
Cuz it ain't over til you find what is there for you
Don't look around just keep the way straight as an arrow
The path is narrow but it's wide enough for you

Gotta let it go and trust how big it is
The road is long and winds and it seems it never ends
Gotta let it go and trust how you will lead
He gives us what we need

Don't turn away, don't toss the hope of a lone soldier
Cuz it ain't over til you find what is there for you
Don't think you're done cuz voices say that it's over
Just be bolder we've all got a gift to use

Don't turn away don't toss the hope of a lone soldier
Cuz it ain't over til you find what He has for you
Don't look around just keep the way straight as an arrow
The path is narrow but it's wide enough for you

But it's wide enough for you

This song really speaks to my heart as I remember the sacrifices that soldiers and others have made, and the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf, as we celebrate freedom and independence. The album also features a remake of the classic Whiteheart song "Independence Day," with new vocals by John Schlitt. 

The words of James 1:2, "Consider it a great joy... whenever you experience various trials," ring especially true and influence the wisdom-loving tone throughout "Lone Soldier."  Sometimes, we need the suffering so God can shape us into who we need to be. Someday we'll see the purpose. Until then, remember God promises us His very best. As believers we need to remember that this world is not our home. We have a much bigger agenda, and the security of everlasting life as promised by our Savior Jesus.

We are all called to have the faith expressed by John the Baptist: "He must increase, but I must decrease." There's also a call to ministry in this song, to "Just be bolder, we've all got a gift to use." Be a prayer warrior and "not ashamed of the Gospel." We all need to be unashamed of our faith in Jesus, and we all need to be bold in expressing our faith. You are doing friends and family members who aren't believers a disservice to not fully share the Gospel. Remember you are free from sin and death and know that "He gives us what we need." 

With God, we gain the victory. That's my testimony. I used to think that all roads led to Heaven before I knew the truth that "narrow is the gate" of salvation, because there is only One Way, One Truth and One Life, and that's found in our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the Light of the World, and He is everywhere through the Holy Spirit who lives inside each of us when we've received Him as the Lord of our lives. That's cause to celebrate your "Independence Day" from the grip of sin and celebrate: "The path is narrow, but it's wide enough for you." Amen to that!

Listen to the song below.