Having enjoyed Josh Wilson's previous hit songs "3 Minute Song," "Savior, Please," "Before the Morning," "I Refuse," "Fall Apart," "Carry Me" and "Pushing Back the Dark," I was excited to hear his latest hit song, the title track to his sixth studio album That Was Then, This is Now.  With a probing spiritual curiosity and imaginative, self-examining lyrics, the album solidifies Wilson's place among the finest song crafters of his day.
 
"That Was Then, This Is Now" is Wilson's tenth radio single, and the song is a bold declaration of the transformation that takes place in the hearts and lives of people who encounter the love of Christ. The old has gone and the new has come.
 
The album shows the complete breadth of Josh's songwriting, from the celebratory pop-driven track "Blown Away" to the intimate and reflective ballads of "No More" and "Coming Home." I had the chance to speak with Josh about "That Was Then, This is Now."
 
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

This song has two meanings. The bigger meaning that I hope people take away from this song and album is about who we are in Christ and what we've been freed from and forgiven of. I hope that as people hear this song they are reminded, as 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 

What freedom we have, and we don't even have to earn it!  The work is already done by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Because of Christ, we can say about our past "that was then, and this is now." I want the song to be a reminder of our forgiveness and our freedom. As the song says, "put the past in the past, box it up like an old photograph, you don't have to go back." Whatever that thing is that we are carrying around and feeling guilt and shame about, we can let go of that. If we've asked Jesus to forgive us, He has. We're still going to mess up, we're not perfect, but our sin has been paid for. It's not because of how we live our lives.
 
It is also an anthem to myself. It's a reminder that I'm not defined by what I've done in my past, but by who I am in Jesus Christ. The other meaning to me personally relates to my struggles involving anxiety and panic attacks, as referenced in my song "Carry Me." I was paralyzed by fear of what God was calling me to do. I had fear that I wouldn't be able to keep making and performing music because my anxiety was so great I could barely leave my house. My prayer for that album was for God to please carry me through this. He has, and He will continue to do that. I haven't completely rid myself of all anxiety, but this album is a statement that I believe that God has called me to do this, and whatever God has called us to do, He will carry us through.
 
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

1 John 1:9 (NIV): If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
 
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV): Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
 
What is the takeaway message?

What I can say about that season of anxiety crippling me is "that was then, and this now." I am reaffirmed in my calling, and I'm going to walk this journey that God has placed in front of me. While the album is all about who we are now because of Jesus, there's also a song called "No More" which is based on Romans 8:1: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." We are forgiven, and we are free. 

When I was younger, I thought by the time I was this age (I'm 31) maybe not that I'd have it all figured out, but I'd have a lot of things figured out. I understand now that faith is a lifelong journey, and there's no time in our lives when we can finally check off a box of big questions I want to know answers to and finally arrive. You'll hear that in the album as well.
 
There are songs that perhaps pose more questions than have answers, and there are songs that wrestle with the realities of the relationship we have with Jesus, which is to place our faith and trust in Him. Trust that He's going to lead and follow Him. It's a daily journey. 

My cousin who is our tour chaplain talked about the difference between justification and sanctification. When we've asked Jesus to forgive us of our sins, that's it, we're forgiven. But we don't wake up the next day and stop sinning completely. I've heard of people who were drug addicted and gave their lives to Christ and completely stopped taking drugs. When people give their lives to Christ and are forgiven and free, they are justified, and no longer condemned in the eyes of God. Sanctification is a daily journey of becoming more like Christ, and He uses each circumstance to take us there. You'll hear a lot of that on this album as well. I have a renewed sense of my calling to share these songs and stories, but I'm very aware that I haven't arrived and I'm not perfect and I never will be until I see Jesus face to face.
 
Lyrics:
We used to hide from the light
We made friends with the night
We were headed the wrong way on a one way track
Going nowhere fast

We got used to the dark
We thought this is who we are
And we figured that we were just too far gone
But we were wrong

'Cause love came running like a river
And we got washed in the water
Then He said you're forgiven
Your sins are gone

That was then, this is now
You're bought by the blood, saved by the Son the saints all sing about
That was lost, this is found
And it's time to say goodbye to the old you now

So go ahead, put the past in the past
Box it up like an old photograph 
You don't have to go back
'Cause that was then and this is now 

We've been remade by grace
We've all got new names
And nothing we do could ever change
What He did that day

When love came running like a river
We got washed in the water
Then He said you're forgiven
And you belong

That was then, this is now
You're bought by the blood, saved by the Son the saints all sing about
That was lost, this is found
And it's time to say goodbye to the old you now

So go ahead, put the past in the past
Box it up like an old photograph 
You don't have to go back
'Cause that was then 

If we turn and confess every unrighteousness
He is faithful and just to forgive
Oh, so turn and confess every wrong and regret
And see what it means to live

That was then, this is now
You're bought by the blood, saved by the Son the saints all sing about
That was lost, this is found
And it's time to say goodbye to the old you now

So go ahead, put the past in the past
Box it up like an old photograph 
You don't have to go back
'Cause that was then and this is now 
'Cause that was then and this is now 

Josh's poignant songwriting is coupled with musical excellence as each song urges me to better see God. This album is sure to connect with all listeners who like catchy songs filled with truth and yearning for God.  Josh invites you into his life in such an authentic and relatable way, you'll feel like you are a lifelong friend after you hear this album. He writes about themes that cause me to hang on every word he sings, and this song is no exception. This album once again exhibits Wilson's gift of relating the challenges of life and the need for a Savior like no one else.

This song and album celebrates the freedom we are promised in God's Holy Word (2 Corinthians 5:17): "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Christians are new creations on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives us new life, and we don't have to live anymore with our guilt, fears or worries. We are born again, and we need to live as children of God. We are new creations, and we need to live under God's authority. Are you excited about God's hope inside of you? Have you humbled yourself and asked Jesus to make you a new creation?
 
In this song, Wilson lays out his need for Jesus similar to "Before the Morning" and "Fall Apart," two of my favorite prayer-songs by Josh. That's what this song is all about: a prayer of thanksgiving for what God has done. It is a testament to Wilson the songwriter that he can make that concept so accessible as a moving "3 minute song." Josh lays out the theme of this excellent album in the title track with the 1st John 1:19 inspired bridge: "If we turn and confess every unrighteousness, He is faithful and just to forgive. Oh, so turn and confess every wrong and regret, and see what it means to live." Amen to that!
 
(Watch the music video here.)