“I’ve never experienced walking away from a church with someone reciting the key points from my sermon, but I have witnessed people walking away singing the songs,” says Andy Judd, an Anglican minister at Barneys Broadway, Sydney, and co-author of a new worship song No More To Pay.
Judd worked together with Scott Groom, a songwriter who attends Hillsong Church, to pen the new song, which will feature on an upcoming album called The Things Above (to be released in early November by Emu Music).
“There are so many young men and women who know in their heads, but can’t really believe in their hearts, that God could ever forgive them for the stuff that they’ve done.” – Andy Judd
Groom and Judd hope that No More To Pay empowers Christians to feel free in moments of accusation and remorse.
Groom says, “The song wields courtroom language like, ‘This is my right now, I’m in Christ’ because, in my experience, feelings of condemnation sometimes need such a firm assurance.”
Judd agrees, saying, “There are so many young men and women who know in their heads, but can’t really believe in their hearts, that God could ever forgive them for the stuff that they’ve done.”
“I wanted to assure both myself, and Scott, and all my brothers and sisters of the reality of justification. The Bible says it this strongly: in Christ you are justified.
“I wanted that strong legal language of the Bible to hit my own heart, the hearts of my fellow musicians and the hearts of people in my congregation,” says Judd.
“…my revelation of grace has become simpler: I can doubt grace. God says it is done.” – Scott Groom
Groom was surprised that the courtroom metaphor could hit him at a deep heart level, but says, “Ironically, after 15 years with Jesus, my revelation of grace has become simpler: I can doubt grace. God says it is done. I ran from God to ruin. God ran to me with grace. I am broken. Jesus is perfect.”
As the song says,
Why would I dwell on the past?
Why would I hide in the dark as if I’m still in chains?
Shouldn’t my conscience be clear?
Didn’t my Saviour bleed?
His grace is enough for me
This is my right now I’m in Christ
Now He stands in my place
Whatever I’ve done or I’ve become
I am covered by grace
This is my only claim
Now He speaks for me
No more to pay
No more to pay
This is not the first time that cross-denominational collaboration has resulted in a new worship song. In 2014, the Hillsong music team worked with an Anglican minister to produce This I Believe, a musical version of the Apostle’s Creed.
No More To Pay will be available from Emu Music and iTunes on 4 November.