Houston Texas-based singer/songwriter Jimmy Needham’s InPop Records debut Speak showcased his down-to-earth lyrics while exposing the rock, pop and gospel-influenced side of his art as well. Speak produced a No. 2 single at Christian Hit Radio with "Lost At Sea," and its song "Dearly Loved" also broke the Top 10 on CHR. Needham’s sophomore album, Not Without Love, is a fitting continuation of his first project and includes standout tracks "Come Around," "A Breath Or Two," "Hurricane," "Firefly" and "Forgiven And Loved."

Jimmy Needham blends his signature sound with mainstream artist Jason Mraz and recent American Idol winner Kris Allen. Jimmy’s soulful voice and personal lyrics are very engaging and every song puts me right there with him.

I had the great opportunity to interview Jimmy Needham about "Forgiven And Loved," the hit song from Jimmy’s most recent album Not Without Love.

You can listen to our entire interview here.

Please tell me about the background in writing the song "Forgiven And Loved."

Basically, my biggest struggle in my relationship with God is that I have difficulty in receiving His love. I am consistently aware of my depravity. I look at my past before I was saved and even now as a believer, I am often disappointed in myself and my disobedience. If I’m disappointed, when I think of myself from God’s perspective, how much more must the perfect God of the universe be disappointed in me? I kept coming back to this idea that I must really have to work incredibly hard to put a smile on God’s face.

Is there a personal story about the message of that song?

A few years ago, I was really zealous to share the Gospel. I couldn't walk into a Walmart without sharing the Gospel with someone. But every night I would think about all the things I wasn't doing for God. I was journaling one day and started writing the first few lines of the song "Tell me I’m forgiven and loved. If I could hear one thing from God, that’s what I would want to hear Him say. The words to the song are truly the cry of my heart. The lyrics are a prayer for me, but the best part is that there is a resolution where at the end of the song God says to me “child you’re forgiven and loved.” Even to this day, when I sing those words at a concert, I am moved by the idea that God has forgiven me and loves me.

Are there any Bible verses that you leaned on while writing the song?

The song is based on Romans 8:1.

Life Through the Spirit
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

It's also based on Ephesians 3:17-19

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

What's the takeaway message for listeners regarding the song?

You can’t give what you don’t have. As Christians, we would benefit ourselves so much to pause from our work effort for just a minute and just sit with the God of the universe and embrace the fact that we’ve been rescued not because of our own goodness but because of His goodness. That is the great motivator of the church, more than a call of duty, but the great overwhelming love of Jesus should make us serve others and follow the law. The lyrics "I bought the lie I still have works to do” are addressed by Paul in Galatians."

Galatians 3:2-3

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Here are the lyrics:

Tell me I’m forgiven and loved
Cause I hear it from the street corner priests
On how God is love and how man can be clean
But my joy has been on holiday
And my peace has almost passed away
Tell me I’m forgiven and free

CHORUS:
O I tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation
But I bought the lie I still have work to do
Now I’m working nine to five like I can earn my own salvation
But there is no condemnation in You

O whisper to me now that its for real
Cause in the silence of these walls righteousness lost its appeal
Dirty deeds have done me in
O but that can’t stop the Faithful Friend
Giving mercy once again as You heal
Here it is I’m feeling it

CHORUS

O He died He died to rectify my hopeless situation
And His blood commands my guilt to leave
Now on Calvary I stand
Empty pockets open hands
O there is no condemnation for me

CHORUS

Child you’re forgiven and loved
Child you’re forgiven and loved
Child you’re forgiven
And Child you are loved
Child you’re forgiven and loved

The message of this song is so personal and biblical as it is directed to both believers and non-believers to know that there is no condemnation for our sins when we accept Jesus as our substitute and Savior. Also, we need to know that we can’t earn our own salvation and unfortunately many people live for works and think they can somehow earn their way to heaven. We don’t have to fear judgment anymore. The Gospel message is that I am accepted, so I obey. We are saved through grace by faith, not by keeping the law.

You can listen to "Forgiven And Loved" here.