New Fair Trade Services singer/songwriter Austin French is an artist to watch. Throughout his album, Wide Open, I love the confessional and biblical lyrics. If you've been desperately waiting for a fresh filling of Christ-focused catchy songs about relying completely on God's grace, then don't miss out on this album.
 
These songs all express the deep love Jesus has for us and how His mercy and grace is something we don't deserve, which causes our hearts to overflow with gratefulness. His songs are great expressions of our thankfulness back to God. I had the great opportunity to interview Austin about his autobiographical song, "Born Again."
 
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

I grew up as a minister's kid and around people who used the phrase "born again Christian." To be honest, as a kid, I didn't want to be anything like these people. My dad was a minister and everyone thought our family was godly and put together, but in my home it felt like World War III. The idea of being a born again Christian looked like a mask that people put on at church to hide what was really going on; once we took off the masks at home, that's when  the yelling and abuse started.

As a kid, I wanted nothing to do with being a Christian. My parents got divorced when I was 8 years old, and the church we were part of asked us to leave and not come back. They were ashamed of my family and what we had done. My mom got another job at another church. I didn't get a clear understanding of being born again until 8th grade. I was at a music camp, learning to play guitar. And, on the last day of camp, a guy talked about being a hypocrite. Many people call themselves "born again Christians", but never follow Jesus with their lives. Being born again is being a new creation with newfound love. And, out of this newfound love, you follow Jesus with your whole life.

I realized in that moment that Jesus didn’t hurt me, broken people hurt me and Jesus is the Healer of broken people. I had scars that needed to be healed. I gave my life to Jesus that day at camp and became a new creation. I remember getting saved and instantly everything was different for me. I was breathing for the very first time and seeing life in a way that I never had before. That’s how I felt at the moment that God rescued me. Before Jesus, I had dreams, but I felt cursed by my past. With Jesus, I met Him and I felt like my past didn’t matter anymore and didn’t define me.
 
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

John 3:1-8 (NKJV): "There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
 
Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV): "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
 
John 17:3 (NKJV): "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
 
Luke 15:24 (VOICE): "Because my son was dead and is alive again. He was lost and has been found." So they had this huge party.

What is the takeaway message?

I’ve been a Christian for over 10 years now, and somehow it feels like sometimes it is easy to lose the wonder in salvation. As a Christian, we use the phrase born again more as a title than as a lifestyle. To a new believer, being born again means new life, new hope and the ability to dream again. The heart behind my song is to remind my soul of the miracle that changed my eternity. I have literally been given new life. Who I was has passed away and has been hidden in the shadow of grace. I’ve been born again. Following Jesus changes everything. No matter what you have done or what has been done to you, if you follow Jesus you are not defined by your scars. You are given new life through His. We are not old creations that have learned new tricks to look like we are Christians. We have been set free and given a new life. We have been born again.

Lyrics:
I was down on my luck
I was stuck
I was running 'round broken-hearted
I was sinking so fast
I couldn't last falling apart and
You could've ran away
Leaving me there in my shame
Leaving me fighting my pain
But You made a better way

I've been saved
Goodbye to the sinner
I'm held by the Father above
No more shame
Walked out of the desert
And drowned in the power of love
Amazing grace, my soul set free
Ain't no grave got a hold on me
I'm born again, born again
Washed by the water, I'm clean

My eyes have been open
You're showing me all of my life
In a new light
Every step, every breath
Like it's the first time
And You could've ran away
Leaving me there in my shame
Leaving me fighting my pain
But You made a better way

I've been saved
Goodbye to the sinner
I'm held by the Father above
No more shame
Walked out of the desert
And drowned in the power of love
Amazing grace, my soul set free
Ain't no grave got a hold on me
I'm born again, born again
Washed by the water, I'm clean

Preacher told me the good, good news
When I went down deep in the river blue
Preacher told me the good, good news
And ever since my heart made new

I've been saved
Goodbye to the sinner
I'm held by the Father above
No more shame
Walked out of the desert
And drowned in the power of love
Amazing grace, my soul set free
Ain't no grave got a hold on me
I'm born again, born again
Washed by the water, I'm clean

Washed by the water
I'm washed by the water
Washed by the water
I'm washed by the water

Amazing grace, my soul set free
Ain't no grave got a hold on me
I'm born again, born again
Washed by the water, I'm clean

Closing Thoughts

For Nicodemus, the concept of not being part of God’s kingdom unless he was personally "born again" was a revolutionary idea. In today’s secular culture, it is radical for people to accept that the entrance requirements for heaven are repentance and spiritual rebirth. This song, "Born Again," challenges me to live for Jesus. God is looking for spiritual growth from His followers. Are you allowing God to help you grow spiritually? The key takeaway for the song is found in these lyrics: "I've been saved/Goodbye to the sinner/I'm held by the Father above/No more shame/Walked out of the desert/And drowned in the power of love." You don't have to strive anymore.
 
This song celebrates the day that we were saved from our sins and causes listeners to reflect on and celebrate their salvation experience. My story of grace of when I was lost and Jesus found me happened in 1999. I was in my car listening to a Christian music album and at the end of the album the artist shared his personal testimony, which was also my story. I finally admitted to myself and God that I am a sinner and I can't save myself. I pulled to the side of the road and just sobbed as I was invited to join in saying the sinner's prayer. I confessed my sins, begged for forgiveness, and I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior. I felt the presence of God there with me in my car, and I've never been the same.
 
This song has become my personal anthem, and I sing along at the top of my lungs the sincere and emotive lyrics of submission. You can't earn your way into Heaven. Jesus already paid that price for us. God's mercy and grace is new each day, and it is not based on our performance or what we can do for God. He pours out His mercy despite what we've done. There's nothing we can do except trust in His Son Jesus. This song does an excellent job of explaining what grace is all about. My pastor uses the acronym "God's Riches at Christ's Expense" to define grace. The "irrefutable argument" we have as believers is to share our story of grace. This song celebrates the day that we were saved from our sins and causes listeners to reflect on and celebrate their salvation experience. 

The beauty of a song like "Born Again" is to allow these words of comfort to cover us and to celebrate God’s joyfulness in finding His lost sheep. It is a beautiful picture of His love for us. When you listen to the song, allow the thought of “I've been saved, Goodbye to the sinner, I'm held by the Father above” to bring you to a place of worship. This song is ultimately about our Savior, Jesus, who overcame the grave. It's about submitting all of ourselves to Him and His goodness and allowing His blood to cover us and run through our veins. By stepping into the Lord's ability instead of relying on ourselves, we are empowered by the supernatural ability of God. When you are feeling alone or confused about the world and life is overwhelming, you can always know that Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. His love for us will never change, and nothing can separate us from it. We were dead in our sins and by grace we were saved and made alive in Christ. That's cause to celebrate and sing, "Ain't no grave got a hold on me, I'm born again, Washed by the water, I'm clean." Amen to that.