Matt Redman may be the premier songwriter in Christian music over the past decade as the writer of worship classics “The Heart of Worship”, “Better Is One Day”, “Blessed Be Your Name” and “You Never Let Go”. He is also part of the Passion conferences and most recently his hit song “Shine” was part of the Passion: God Of This City album.

One of my favorite stories about Matt Redman, a native of England, is that in response to his church having too much focus on music his pastor suggested they take a break from singing which led to his writing “The Heart of Worship”. The lyrics “I’m coming back to the heart of worship, it’s all about You” sums up Matt’s ministry and focus on vertical worship. His sincere singing and songwriting style and biblical inspired lyrics have made me a huge fan of Matt Redman.

His newest album We Shall Not Be Shaken is one of my top albums of 2009 and Matt Redman’s best overall album in my opinion. The album sticks to the style that fans have come to admire and respect about Matt.

His first single, "This Is How We Know," was co-written with Redman’s wife, Beth, and the song seamlessly blends the message of John 3:16 with 1 John 3:16. This is how we know what love is; just one look at Your cross… For You so loved the world that You gave Your only Son. Love amazing, so divine, we will love You in return.

I recently interviewed Matt about this powerful song. You can listen to the entire interview here.

Please tell me about the background in writing the song "This Is How We Know."

I love the truth of both of those Scripture verses. I have always wanted to write a song based on the 1st John 3:16 concept of “this is how we know what love is,” and as I was studying to write the song, I had forgotten that it was also 3:16, same as John 3:16’s “For God so loved the world”, which was pretty cool. The cross is the ultimate example of love. Love isn’t a feeling, it backs up its claim. In fact, the verses tie in to each other because John 3:16 is about God sending Jesus as an example of love, and 1st John 3:16 is about Jesus surrendering to the will of the Father and laying down His life in love. So the overall message of the song is this: Love is about sending and surrendering.

Is there a personal story behind the lyrics “our love will be loud, our love will be strong, our love shall be hands and feet that serve You in this world”?

The bible tells us that it is okay for our love to be loud. We can love God in song and God wants us to proclaim Him in loud voices and to adore Him with all of our heart, mind and soul. Even though many people think of love as a feeling, God’s example of love is an action. We need to complete the integrity of our worship by doing something. Our love can’t just be making noise, but we need to go and be His ‘hands and feet’. The love of Calvary goes way beyond words and feelings. We weren’t saved by God’s feelings, we were saved by God’s blood-shedding sacrificial actions on the cross. We need to learn to love God and others the same way--love that lays down it’s own life to serve others.

What's the takeaway message for listeners regarding the lyrics “so let us stay true and let it endure, that You will be glorified and worshipped and adored”?

The message is that worship is a lifestyle. True love gives all, it doesn’t give up. Love keeps its promises. Love is about how you live your life. The love of the cross is outrageous. God’s love is so amazing and our response is to love Him back.

Here are the lyrics:

This is how we know
This is how we know what love is
Just one look at Your cross
And this is where we see
This is where we see how love works
For You surrendered Your all

And this is how we know
That You have loved us first
This is where we chose
To love You in return

Chorus
For You so loved the world
That You gave Your only Son
Love amazing, so divine
We will love You in return
For this life that You give
For this death that You have died
Love amazing, so divine
We will love You in reply, Lord

This is how we know
This is how we know what love is
Just one look at Your cross
And this is where we see
This is where we see how love works
For You surrendered Your all

And this is how we know
That You have loved us first
This is where we chose
To love You in return

Chorus

Our love will be loud
Our love will be strong
Our love shall be hands and feet
That serve You in this world
So let us stay true
And let it endure
That You will be glorified
And worshiped and adored

Chorus

Savior of the world
King Jesus we love You
For we have been loved
King Jesus we love You
For we have been loved
King Jesus we love You
For we have been loved
King Jesus we love You
For we have been loved
We have been loved

God also explains love in 1st John 4:19: “We love because he first loved us.” Matt’s thoughts on God’s love are that God’s love gave at an outrageous cost, the life of His only begotten Son. Love so amazing, so divine, it demands our lives, our minds and our souls. Not only should we love God because He first loved us, but we should also love others unconditionally because while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

You can listen to the song here.