Many of Skillet’s rock songs are prayers, asking God to help us recognize that this life is temporary. They remind us that building our lives on Scripture will give us a solid foundation to navigate life's challenges.
 
Watching Skillet’s meteoric rise into one of rock’s biggest bands has been incredible. The astounding success of their albums Comatose, Awake, Rise, Unleashed, and Victorious has elevated them to new popularity levels with each release.
 
Over the past few years, I’ve spoken with Skillet’s lead singer, John Cooper, about several songs from their past albums, including “Awake and Alive,” “American Noise,” “Stars,” “The Resistance,” “Save Me,” “Terrify the Dark,” and “Surviving the Game.” Each conversation has built upon how John’s biblical life verses, Romans 8:38-39, have shaped his songwriting.
 
My favorite song from Skillet’s newest album, Revolution—their 11th studio album—is “All That Matters.” Before the popular tour Winter Jam in Reading, Pennsylvania, I spoke with John again, marking our 17th Behind the Song discussion.
 
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
 
“All That Matters” is a song that explores core values and the importance of faith, family, and freedom in a world often characterized by nihilism and materialism. The song tackles the prevalence of nihilism and a perceived lack of faith and values in society—particularly among younger generations. The lyrics center around "My faith, my family, my freedom's all that matters to me." 
 
This song represents rebellion against a culture that promotes nothingness and materialism, emphasizing the importance of faith, family, and freedom. I was sick of all the anger, insanity, and violence in the world—people are constantly looking for something to hate online and yell about. 
 
Everyone doesn’t have to agree, but how do we reclaim being in a community, loving our neighbors, and tolerating opposing viewpoints as friends? I was thinking, ‘How do we remind ourselves what matters most?’ I had to say something about it. The song encourages listeners to stand firm in their beliefs and not compromise on core values—even when facing societal pressures.
 
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Romans 8:37 (NKJV): “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV): "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

John 3:17 (NKJV): "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
 
Acts 5:29 (NKJV): “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”
 
Philippians 1:6 (NKJV): "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV):  He told me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
 
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
 
What is the takeaway message?
 
Thematically, there's so much nihilism in our culture. Depression and teen suicide are at epidemic levels. We're revolting against a culture that creates nihilism, nothingness, and materialism. “All That Matters” is poignant but also very confident and inclusive. 
 
It's a song saying, "We have to be willing to stand up for what we believe in—even if it might be unpopular in some circles, but hey, maybe we could have a revolution of love, you know, a revolution of understanding, of tolerance towards people that we disagree with and come back to some human dignity and respecting people's rights and where they're coming from."
 
And so, it's speaking to the division and the polarization happening, which I think is a good message and what the whole 'revolution' thing is all about. We allude to it on the record cover where there's a Skillet flag, and in the corner, it lists I Corinthians 13:13, a verse that says, "Hold onto these things: faith, hope, love. But the greatest is love."
 
Lyrics
 
I don't wanna start a fight
I always try to do what's right
So put your weapons down, we can work it out
Don't get me wrong, I ain't no pacifist
For peace, gotta pay a price
And I'll defend what is mine
Fight for what I love, help me, God above
All it takes is one to rise up and resist
 
Cost you everything when you're at war
These three things I'd die for
 
My faith, my family, my freedom, that's what's backin' me
Gives me a reason for living
I've gotta fight for what I believe in, believe it
Love, loyalty, I pledge fidelity
In this land of liberty, it's everything
My faith, my family, my freedom's all that matters to me
 
A kid arrested in the town
He read the verses too loud
But burn the cities down, celebs will bail you out
Where'd we go wrong? I can't make sense of this
So just leave the kids alone
Better not break into this home
'Cause where I come from, we always stand as one
Where we belong, we won't stand for this
 
Cost you everything when you're at war
These three things I'd die for
 
My faith, my family, my freedom, that's what's backin' me
Gives me a reason for living
I've gotta fight for what I believe in, believe it
Love, loyalty, I pledge fidelity
In this land of liberty, it's everything
My faith, my family, my freedom's all that matters to me, oh
To me, oh
 
When darkness divides us
I believe that love can conquer all
Courageous, united
We stand or fall
My faith, my family, my freedom
 
My faith, my family, my freedom, that's what's backin' me
Gives me a reason for living
I've gotta fight for what I believe in, believe it
Love, loyalty, I pledge fidelity
In this land of liberty, it's everything
 
My faith, my family, my freedom's all that matters to me (that's all that matters to me), oh
To me (that's all that matters to me), oh
That's all that matters to me
 
Closing Thoughts
 
Skillet’s “All That Matters” is an anthem of unity and loyalty to faith, family, and freedom. Ask yourself, “What do I stand for?” This song has an infectious urgency. In today's world, it is essential to consider how our actions reflect our values and priorities. Embracing love is essential. We should strive to love others unconditionally, demonstrating compassion and kindness in our interactions with those around us.
 
Sometimes, you must be ignited and ask for a fresh filling of God’s Holy Spirit. We must pray daily that the Spirit shines the light of Jesus through us. With enthusiasm and courage, you can embrace living biblically.
 
God wants us to believe in our freedom on the cross of Jesus. We're free from our fears, addictions, insecurities, and perfectionism. Jesus came to die for us so we can truly live in Him. In today's culture, it’s radical for people to accept heaven's entrance requirements—repentance and spiritual rebirth.
 
Because we know this truth, whatever the outcome, which is based on His promise in Romans 8:28: "God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." We're all united in our struggles, spiritual warfare, and desire for truth and relationship.
 
The song celebrates the freedom we are promised in God's Holy Word: the Bible. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "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. 
 
Join John in singing these words: “When darkness divides us, I believe that love can conquer all, Courageous, united, we stand or fall, My faith, my family, my freedom, that’s all that matters to me.” Amen to that.