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"One" by Jordan Merritt

read the story and listen to the song,
“One” by Jordan Merritt

 
 
 

the story

July 7, 2016. Some friends and I were in Tyler, Texas leading worship for a youth camp. Meanwhile, chaos was happening just 100 miles from us in Dallas. On the night of July 7, a group of police officers were ambushed by a shooter killing 5 and injuring 9 others. Reports shared that the ambush was in response to the innocent killings of black men at the hands of the police.

Now, I’m used to violence. I mean… it’s everywhere. I’d even become used to violence surrounding racial issues (sadly). But this night was different. I laid in my bed in torment over what was happening. My heart broke for the black men. For the police officers. For the families. For the bystanders. For our country. For humanity.

I felt the dissonance and the awareness of how much I desired to change things, but simultaneously how unable I was to help. I was full of every negative emotion possible. Anger. Sadness. Hopelessness. But, I was also keenly aware of how much God desired to intervene. That night I was marked by something. I knew that for the rest of my life, I needed to be present in these moments. I needed to carry reconciliation (especially racial) in every and aspect of what I do.

Not long after the youth camp, I was at a songwriting camp called The Emerging Sound, still unable to shake what had happened just weeks before. This one lingered. It hurt me.

I decided that I wanted to use the thing God put in my hand to combat sin and brokenness in the world: A song. I had a burning desire inside to write TRUTH for the church. For the world. For us all. Then the right session came and this song is what was born in that session.

 
 

How does the unity of the Bride of Jesus connect to racial tensions in the world?

John 17:20-24 says, “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!”

There’s a direct connection between the unity of God’s people and the world knowing the Love of God! 1 John 4:18 says that “perfect love casts out fear” and our world is riddled with FEAR. I would also make the argument that all sin comes from a place of fear!

I believe that if the Church, the Bride of Christ and the extension of Jesus’ ministry on the earth, would fight to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” (Ephesians 4:3) we would begin to see the fruit of what Jesus did on the cross manifest in so many tangible ways in our world.

People would experience true love for the first time. The blind would see. The lame would walk. The hurting would be healed. The captives would be freed. Violence could be halted. The agenda of the enemy in our world would be met by the power of God’s Spirit at work in his children.

The gates of HELL can’t stand against the Body of Christ when we are full of His Spirit and in unity! I can’t say that I totally understand HOW our unity as the family of God produces this fruit… but I am confident in the One who said that it would.

As the line in the bridge of “One” states, “Church arise, set color aside, we’re joining in Christ’s victory”, this song is an invitation for the family of God to join in bold love for one another across every nationality, denomination, and generation under what Jesus has done for us.

This does not mean that we ignore our differences. Rather, it means that we celebrate the truth that we are all made in the image of God, no matter our skin color, age, or theological camps. We are ONE family now in Christ.

Galatians 3:28 reads, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

My prayer for us is the same as Jesus' before he faced the Cross. That we, the Church, would be one as the Holy Trinity is ONE. That our love for each other would violently sweep through the earth and that people of all walks of life would experience the life-changing love of God through us, His children.

ONE

Verse 1
There's a king we know
And a promise foretold
Of a nation not governed by fear,
Where peace flows free To a sinner like me
And a world overtaken by tears.

Pre Chorus
We won't lose faith,
Your kingdom is our reward.
We take our place,
Your Spirit goes where we go.

Chorus
Let Your word be the loudest voice we hear, Your Spirit run wild in this nation,
Your Church come alive,
Step into the fight,
We will not be moved.
United we stand in You,
We are one
Oh, oh, oh, oh.

Verse 2
There's a joy we've seen:
Our failures redeemed,
Your power eclipsing our sin.
Let the mountains shake
And the strongholds break
Let freedom ring over our land.

Bridge
So Church arise, one body, one bride,
Let's stand under what we’ve received.
This perfect grace that died in our place
Our songs are now one melody
So Church arise, set color aside,
We’re joining in Christ’s victory
And we pray again, Lord, come heal our land
Till glory is all that we see
We are one. Oh, oh, oh, oh.

jordan merritt Bio

Jordan Merritt is a talented Christian songwriter and musician who has made a significant impact on the contemporary Christian music scene.

With a passion for creating music that inspires and uplifts listeners, Jordan has written a number of powerful worship songs that have become beloved favorites of Christians around the world.

Among Jordan's most notable works are "You Hold It All," a popular worship song recorded by the Newsboys; "People of the Cross," moving anthem performed by Selah; and "Yet I Want More," a powerful ballad featured on Vol. 3 of The Emerging Sound project.

Jordan's music is characterized by its heartfelt lyrics, soaring melodies, and powerful vocals, which combine to create an unforgettable listening experience. Whether he is writing for himself or collaborating with other artists, Jordan's dedication to his craft and his faith shine through in every song he creates.

You might also be able to find him singing in the band that he is a part of called "The Band Table".

© 2023 Tent Peg Music (BMI) / The Emerging Sound Publishing (BMI) / Touched By A Fire Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved. For licensing requests, please visit Music Services. CCLI Song #7223001