Drawing it's name from the famous words of Oscar Wilde, "Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future," Saints and Sinners is the brand new release from five time GRAMMY nominee, Matt Maher. During a time of personal transition and reflection, Maher began to collect numerous writings and quotes that have all played a significant role in the history of the church. It was through his studies of these prayers, scriptures, and anecdotes that his latest album began to take form.
"Because He Lives (Amen)" was inspired by the classic hymn by Bill Gaither. It was released last November and was the song that sparked the genesis of the entire album. Presenting a bold testimony of how Jesus saved us from our sin, the words remind us that everything we are is because Jesus lives. "I loved the idea of the phrase, 'Because He lives...'" Maher says, "-that realization that because of the resurrection, I'm not dead." This message is driven home in the words, "Amen, amen. I'm alive, I'm alive because He lives. Amen, amen. Let my song join the One that never ends because He lives."
Carried forward by piano and filled with honesty and a sense of longing, "Abide With Me" was based on another hymn that spoke volumes to Maher. "As a believer, even my doubt and disillusionment have to meet Jesus at the cross. I think in our walk with God we get surprised when we end up right back where we started. In some ways, that's the Christian life-learning how to die so you can experience resurrection. I think sometimes the aching we feel is the realization that we will always be restless until we reach heaven. We have moments where we get glimpses of what that feels like, but there's still a haunting that happens. That's what inspired this song-reaching a point where somebody's willing to at least ask Jesus to help them with that disillusionment and that fear." The song beautifully expresses this with a yearning plea, "Abide with me, Abide with me. Don’t let me fall, and don’t let go. Walk with me and never leave. Ever close, God abide with me."
"Deliverer" is another strong anthem that praises God for being our Deliverer, freeing us from our sins and transforming our lives. Walking through the 'before' of an encounter with Christ and detailing our brokenness, it rejoices in God's saving grace, building intensely before ecstatically proclaiming, "I am Yours and You are my Deliverer!" Saints and Sinners leads worshipers on a journey of faith, ultimately taking them back to the most important place of all, the resurrection of Christ.
Saints and Sinners - Matt Maher
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