A Theology of Praise: Who You Are to Me

Today we are looking into the Theology of the song, "Who You are to Me" by Chris Tomlin 

Some people think You're distant, just some words on a page                                                                                That You're nothing more than fables handed down along the way                                                                        But I've seen You part the waters when no one else could pull me from the deep                                                That's who You are to me

The song begins by the author contrasting what "some" people think about Jesus  /God and compares that perspective to their own.   I have listened to this song a few times and enjoy the song well enough, and it immediately reminds me of "Jesus Messiah" also by Chris Tomlin.   However as I began to dive into the lyrics I have no real doubts that this song is solid, but seems light on its apologetics (defense of the Gospel) and focuses more on God's reality being based upon your own perspective and experiences.

He begins by sharing that "some" people think God is distant, just words on a page (the Bible?) and He is fables / tales handed down.   But his defense is that is simply that the author has seen the waters part (Red Sea parallel?) and pulled him from the deep (darkness?  sin?).  Then the title of the song, "That's who You are to me."  

This is where my concern in this song lies, it seems to be placing the truth of Christ and God upon our own experiences and perspective.   It can almost be seen as a song of opinions....to "me" God is different than He is to you.   Now there is certainly truth to this and the testimony of someone who has encountered God in His truth has a life change that is evidence to those around them.   Perhaps my preference would have been simply, "That's who You are".   Regardless of what opinion is who are God and You give us confidence through the power of Christ, not just "to me."

19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."    Hebrews 10:19-25

Some people think You just live in cathedrals made of stone
But I know You live inside my heart, I know that it's Your home
And I've seen You in a sunset and in the eyes of a stranger on the street
That's who You are to me

The corporate nature of our faith is essential and as we see in Hebrews 10 the church is not a place or "cathedrals made of stone."  We have our high priest in Jesus Himself and he sprinkles our hearts clean and draws us together as a people to glorify Him and encourage one another.   
The imagery of God's home being our heart can be confusing as it is not anti-biblical, but also not expressly biblical.   Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17, "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith."  However, there is nowhere in the bible that says we should use that as an evangelistic means.   Asking Jesus into your "heart" can be confusing to some people as well and the "some people" may not see that as a good argument for our faith.   Jesus dwelling in our heart should remind us and reveal a deeper truth that we need make Jesus our very life and trust in His Word, not just in our feelings.

You're amazing, faithful, love's open door
When I'm empty You fill me with hunger for more
Of Your mercy, Your goodness
Lord, You're the air that I breathe
That's who You are to me
Who You are to me

The chorus is filled with simple Christian imagery, but still leads me to a question.   How does God fill us?   How does He become the "air that I breathe?" \Why is He amazing, and faithful?  What is this "open door" and is there something I need to do to walk through it or did God bring us to Himself through Jesus?

"18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,"  I Peter 3:18

Sometimes I have my doubts, I'm sure that everybody does
And I wonder when I stumble, am I still worthy of Your love?
But I know that I get stronger when I'm talking to You down on my knees
You're everything I need

This verse continues down the same path but tries to relate to those who doubt by claiming "everybody does."   I am certain this is true as our confidence in certain things about our faith goes up and down.   However, as we saw in Hebrews 10 God's completing work of our faith through Jesus brings us great confidence to enter His presence no matter what.  The author even shares they wonder when they stumble if they are still worthy of His love.   The response is he gets stronger in talking to Him on his knees in prayer.   Prayer is so important, yes and a life in the Word in relationship to God has to centered on the power of prayer.   However, is he now worthy because he is praying?   This is concerning and "some people" may misinterpret it to mean that if you doubt or stumble, just pray and that act of prayer makes us worthy.   

 "8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast."  Ephesians 2:8-9

We have to be careful as worship leaders to remind people that nothing we do makes us right with God.   He has provided our faith by grace, not of ourselves are anything we can do.   It is a gift and again the feeling of prayer seems how they are becoming once again right with God.  Pointing people to the power of God and the restoring work of God rather than on our act of kneeling in prayer would have been preferred here.

You're forever Holy
You're the Lamb who is worthy
My forgiveness (My forgiveness), my healer (My healer)
The Messiah, my Redeemer

The bridge of this song is the testimony finally of who God truly is.   He is Holy, the Lamb (Jesus), Worthy, Forgiveness Healer, Messiah, Redeemer.

These all come straight from God's Word in so many places and is all true.    This is why I feel the song should have been more focused on who God is, not just who God is to me.    

Someone who is unsure, has doubts, limits God to a cathedral or words on a page may not understand the holiness of God, the sacrifice as Jesus as the Lamb that was slain and so on.    It shouldn't be based upon what I think or how I feel or solely on my testimony but on the truth that God is real and in His Word holds all our hope in Jesus.

Francis Schaffer's book, "The God who is There" is a profound work.    The title is not an opinion of God or a feeling of "If I" then God is there.   It is a statement that God is there regardless of opinion.   This song makes me reflect on this and although I would certainly say there is nothing unbiblical about this song, it certainly isn't the strongest song in its defense of the good news of God's grace.    It could be used in discussion and so much of this song could help us as believers to avoid opinions and feeling based arguments when we defend our faith in Christ.

Blessings to you all and have a wonderful day!

Rev. Dwight Hedges