The Jesus I Know Now

Album: released as a single (2026)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "The Jesus I Know Now" finds Brandon Lake and Lainey Wilson revisiting their childhood perceptions of the Christian faith. Those early beliefs were built on a foundation of fear, rather than the compassionate, relational view they developed later in life.

    The song was inspired by a conversation in which Wilson told Lake: "You know, the Jesus I know now isn't really like the Jesus I grew up being taught about."
  • The verses catalog a version of faith that functions more like a behavioral monitoring system than a relationship. They recount childhood teachings that portrayed Jesus as "angry" when music was played too loud, and warned that smoking, drinking, or swearing would land them on "a long black train to Hell." In contrast, the chorus describes a Jesus who isn't "shakin' a fist" or "runnin' away from a party crowd." Instead, He "hangs with the misfits, listens, forgives, then forgives again."

    Lake shared on Instagram following the song's release: "I hope it reminds you that, like my Momma used to tell me, 'Jesus doesn't just love you - He likes you.'"
  • Lake and Wilson wrote the track with Nashville heavyweights Luke Laird and Emily Weisband during a writer's retreat. Wilson's offhand remark about her changing view of Jesus triggered a melody in Lake's mind, around which the four built out the full song.
  • Since breaking through with his Hot 100 hit "Hard Fought Hallelujah," Brandon Lake has been actively building bridges between CCM and country. His "Hard Fought Hallelujah" remix with Jelly Roll won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. Other releases include the Cody Johnson collaboration "When A Cowboy Prays" and the Bailey Zimmerman hook-up "Just Believe."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.