Fans of Southern rock-inspired Christian music, such as Third Day, Collective Soul, Zach Williams, Rhett Walker, and NEEDTOBREATHE, will find a natural connection with Ben Fuller's music. With a style rooted in powerful vocals, honest lyrics, and a Southern-tinged rock sound, Fuller has quickly made a name for himself in the contemporary Christian music scene. His breakout songs, including "Who I Am," "Wide Awake," and "But the Cross," serve as raw, heartfelt expressions of faith and redemption, echoing his testimony of transformation from addiction and brokenness to a life anchored in Christ. For Fuller, music is a vehicle to share the life-changing power of Jesus--a mission evident in every lyric he writes.
Before releasing his self-titled 2022 debut album under Provident Label Group, Fuller gained traction with earlier tracks, such as "If I Got Jesus," which showcased his authentic storytelling and gospel-rooted sound. That album also featured fan favorites such as "He Got a Hold on Me" and "Testimony," each contributing to his growing reputation as an artist who bridges the gap between vulnerability and hope. His more recent singles, including "Turn," "Deeper Still," and "Don't Let Me Forget," continue that pattern, blending personal experience with spiritual truth.
With the release of his 2025 album Walk Through Fire, Fuller entered a new chapter in his ministry, offering songs that reflect perseverance, faith under pressure, and the refining nature of trials. His catalog has become a source of encouragement for listeners seeking genuine Christian music that doesn't shy away from real struggles. I had the chance to speak with Ben in person about his song "Black Sheep."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
"Black Sheep" is a deeply personal, autobiographical song born from my journey from addiction to sobriety and faith. I co-wrote this song with Michael Farren and Tony Wood. I hope this song serves as a message to those who feel like broken outcasts, assuring them that they are loved by Jesus regardless of their past. There's nowhere we can go that is out of His reach.
It's the mystery of God that outweighs all the things that I've done, and I've tried and there's no other way. And so, the more that I focus on Jesus, the more that I focus on what God says and what the Bible says, what his word says; it's amazing the freedom, but also just the, the lack of worry that I have because it's like you know what? I'm a child of God.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Luke 15:3-7 (NIV): Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
Romans 1:16 (NKJV): "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."
1 Peter 2:24 (NIV): "He himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; By His wounds you have been healed."
John 15:13 (NKJV): "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."
Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV): "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
John 6:53-54 (NKJV): Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
John 14:6 (NIV): Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Ephesians 2:1 (NKJV): "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins."
Ephesians 2:6 (NIV): "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."
1 Peter 2:24 (NIV): "He bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; By His wounds, you have been healed."
John 15:13 (NKJV): "Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one's life for his friends."
Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV): "That at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Romans 8:37 (NLT): "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us."
What is the takeaway message?
What is the takeaway message?
Nobody is too far gone for redemption and that God specifically seeks out His lost sheep. I have lived the dark side, and I have done unspeakable things but being a Christian and following Jesus Christ is one of the hardest things that I've ever had to do in my entire life. And I dare you to take up your cross, and I challenge you to do the same because it is not easy, but man, is it worth it. My own experiences with addiction, including a drug-fueled relationship and the loss of my friend to overdose, significantly impacted this song.
This song is a reminder to just tell the truth, to not run away anymore, to not be afraid. To just bring my mess. To not be afraid to bring the ugly and talk about the hard things. Even if you feel like you've ruined your life, you are still worthy and loved.
The song itself is a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's grace, emphasizing that God's love isn't limited to the surface but reaches into the depths of human experience.
Lyrics
You broke through a thousand fences
Been rescued from a thousand ditches
You still swear you don't fit in
So you kick and scream and you're gone again
Wandering off into the devil's wind
But how's it going out there
Acting like you ain't scared
How's that heart of stone
Ain't so hard when you're alone
Crying tears you hope nobody sees
Guess the Good News is He'll never leave you be
Jesus loves you black sheep
You hate everything about you
You think we're better off without you
You wear your pain out on your sleeve
And you paint it on in rebel ink
But the alcohol and pills ain't fixed a thing
How's it going out there
Acting like you ain't scared
How's that heart of stone
It ain't so hard when you're alone
Crying tears you hope nobody sees
Guess the Good News is He'll never leave you be
Jesus loves you black sheep
Oooooh
Oooooh
Oooooh
Jesus loves you black sheep
Oooooh
Oooooh
Oooooh
Can't tell you when, I ain't no prophet
But there'll come a point in time when you can't stop it
The Good Shepherd's love smells like smoke
There ain't no hell so low
Where He won't let the hounds of Heaven go
Sic 'em, let the hounds of Heaven go
So how's it going out there
Acting like you ain't scared
How's that heart of stone
Ain't so hard when you're alone
Crying tears you hope nobody sees
Guess the Good News is He'll never leave you be
And amazing grace is a pesky pesky thing
But the Good News is He'll never leave you be
Jesus loves you black sheep
Oooooh
Oooooh
Oooooh
Jesus loves you black sheep
Closing Thoughts
The core of our faith as Christians is found in John 14:6: Jesus is the only way. All roads don't lead to heaven, despite what a secular culture tries to tell us. This is an extremely important and uplifting song. We all need to be bold as followers of Jesus and express that Truth, celebrating His death on the Cross and victory over sin.
We are all God's sons and daughters, and you are His beloved child. Carry His love with you wherever you go and remember that His love is always with you. Take moments to reflect on and sing songs of praise to God, for it brings comfort and draws you closer to Him.
For me, the most encouraging part of "Black Sheep" is the message that I don't have to be perfect or rely on my plans. God knows me and loves me just as I am. He wants to hear each of us sing, "The Good Shepherd's love smells like smoke/There ain't no hell so low/Where He won't let the hounds of Heaven go." That is cause for celebration as we all have freedom to be ourselves and He has great plans for us.
We need to live each day knowing that, despite circumstances, God has a plan for "those who love Him; who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). We really bring nothing to the table. Jesus says there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. When a sinner turns to God, heaven throws a party.
We sometimes put up a wall between us and God. He just wants us to come home to Him. Many of us feel that we're not worthy of being near God and that He's using a checklist to determine our worthiness. That's not the Gospel. The Good News of the Gospel, which this song perfectly portrays, is that God accepts us no matter what we've done, what we've said or what we're wearing.
Salvation is about submitting all of ourselves to Him and His goodness and allowing His blood to cover us and run through our veins. With God by our side, we have the strength to endure anything. This song is a gentle reminder that our identity is rooted in who He is as our Father and who we are as His beloved children.
The beautiful message conveyed in this song mirrors the Good News of the Gospel: God accepts us unconditionally, regardless of our past actions or current struggles. This is a great song to express your commitment to run the race well as a believer and not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This song has become my anthem, and I sing along at the top of my lungs the sincere and emotive lyrics: "And amazing grace is a pesky pesky thing/But the Good News is He'll never leave you be/Jesus loves you black sheep." Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a passionate enthusiast and dedicated collector of Christian music. He believes the message of Christian music has deepened his understanding of Christ.
NEW!BEHIND THE SONG
#1296 - Mary-Clair
A candid conversation about faith, vulnerability, and finding God
ADVERTISEMENT
NEW!MOVIE REVIEW Miracle
NRT reviews the new movie after attending the premiere
NEW!SERIES REVIEW
A Night At Wingfeather
We attended the show's premiere of the Angel Studios animated show
NEW!NRT LISTS
Worship Into 2026
Standout new worship releases that invite the Church to sing and reflect
NEW!THE CHH DROP
#261 - Gavin the Hotrod
What's new this week in Christian rap and hip-hop
