It Is Well (Expanded Edition) was released on October 26, 2010. It is Kutless' follow up album to Gold-selling worship release Strong Tower, and features several brand new singles such as "What Faith Can Do", "Amazed" and favorites such as "Hungry", "Give Us Clean Hands" and "God of Wonders." The heart of worship is something the band passionately seeks, and they love bringing that to the forefront, sharing and giving glory to God. With the new album, the audiences have been able to sing along to the classics as well as bring some new favorites into their time of worship.

It Is Well (Expanded Edition) features four live songs including "What Faith Can Do" and one unreleased studio song.

I got the great chance to speak with Kutless guitarist Nick DePartee in person at the Revelation Generation Festival about current single “Remember Me.” Here is what Nick shared with me about the song.

Please tell me about the background in writing the song "Remember Me."

It is a cool song. Jon Howard and I wrote a bunch of songs together and one day we were talking about writing a song about the thief on the cross. We were trying to figure out how to write the words of such a huge story of our faith as Christians. It was one of those times when God showed up and wrote the song for us. We were just excited to be part of it. Watching God use such an amazing story and help us write a song about it is truly a humbling experience.

Do you have a life verse or any Bible verses you used in writing the song?

My life verse is Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. I actually have that verse tattooed on my arm now to remind me of God’s love for me.

The song is based on Luke 23:39-43: Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

What's the take-away message for listeners regarding the song?

The song is about the thief hanging on the cross next to Jesus and all of his sad life he had stolen from people and was a bad person. He felt bad and knew that he was a sinner and a criminal, like all of us. On the cross, he asks Jesus to remember him. Jesus could have said “no way.” It took tremendous faith to ask for forgiveness. It is a wonderful picture of God’s grace. During this heavy, heavy moment Jesus turned to the thief and said “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” I can’t even imagine what that was like. We all need to remember this story our whole lives. You have a choice to accept Jesus. If you choose Him, He’ll remember you.

Here are the lyrics:

I looked in Your eyes
And saw it for a moment
The passion in Your cry
The chains of life are broken

Put to death by Your people
You came to bring us life
Only hope for the hopeless
Will You remember me?

I’ve been ashamed
I’ve been put down
Head in my hands
My life on the ground

Left heaven to save
Liars and thieves
Sinners like me
Your blood sets us free

Who am I
That You would remember me?

Spent all of my years
Stealing from the world
With everything I had
I was still so poor

You have everything to lose
But You’re dying here with me
I believe
Will You remember me?

I’ve been ashamed
I’ve been put down
Head in my hands
My life on the ground

Left heaven to save
Liars and thieves
Sinners like me
Your blood sets us free

Who am I?

Take what I have left my Savior
Take me with You from this cross
When I leave this life completely
Remember me

I’ve been ashamed
I’ve been put down
Head in my hands
My life on the ground

Left heaven to save
Liars and thieves
Sinners like me
Your blood sets us free

I’ve been ashamed
I’ve been put down
Head in my hands
My life on the ground

Left heaven to save
Liars and thieves
Sinners like me
Your blood sets us free

Who am I
That You would remember me?

Here’s Matthew Henry’s commentary on Luke 23:39-43:
"Jesus was crucified between two thieves; in them were shown the different effects the cross of Christ would have upon the children of men in the preaching the gospel. One malefactor was hardened to the last. No troubles of themselves will change a wicked heart. The other was softened at the last: he was snatched as a brand out of the burning, and made a monument of Divine mercy. This gives no encouragement to any to put off repentance to their death-beds, or to hope that they shall then find mercy. It is certain that true repentance is never too late; but it is as certain that late repentance is seldom true. None can be sure they shall have time to repent at death, but every man may be sure he cannot have the advantages this penitent thief had. It is a single instance in Scripture; it should teach us to despair of none, and that none should despair of themselves; but lest it should be abused, it is contrasted with the awful state of the other thief, who died hardened in unbelief, though a crucified Savior was so near him. Be sure that in general men die as they live."

God is not abstract or a figment of our imagination, He’s real. He came to earth as Jesus and suffered and died for us. He took our sins and was sacrificed as a spotless Lamb so that we can have eternal life. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, this is a wonderful song to sing to Him and contemplate about what it means to celebrate the birth of Jesus our Savior. The gospel Truth of this song declares “Your blood sets us free.” I get choked up when I sing the chorus “Who am I, that You would remember me?”

This Christmas, remember to thank Jesus for His Love and His gift of grace. You have a choice to accept Jesus. If you choose Him, He’ll remember you.

Here’s a link to a video of the song: