Phil Wickham – The Jesus Way

Contemporary Christian artist Phil Wickham was 18 years old when he began his career in 2002.  Since then, he released 11 albums, including:

• Give You My World (2003)
• Phil Wickham (2006)
• Cannons (2007)
• Heaven & Earth (2009)
• Response (2011)
• The Ascension (2013)
• Children of God (2016)
• Living Hope (2018)
• Christmas (2019)
• Hymn of Heaven (2021)
• Hymn of Heaven (Acoustic Sessions) (2022)
• I BELIEVE (2023)

He received four Dove awards for his work, including Songwriter of the Year – Artist (2022), Worship Recorded Song of the Year (2019, 2022), and Worship Album of the Year (2022).

Also, check out my other Phil Wickham reviews.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

Wickham intends to follow Jesus’ example and commands, as well as Proverbs and the example of some of Jesus’ disciples.  This includes:

• Bless those who curse you.
• Forgive and show kindness to those who mistreat you.
• Love those who hate you.
• Speak up for those who cannot.
• Bear one another’s burdens.
• Spread the good news about Christ to those who don’t know Him personally.
• Sing His praises amid confinement.
• Physical death is not the end.
• Yield to Jesus’ ways.
• He sustains.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

This song fully reflects Biblical teaching.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Intro]

Oh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

The first of many of Wickham’s calls to Casper the friendly ghost.

Oh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Repeats line 1.

[Verse 1]

If you curse me, then I will bless you

As commanded by Jesus in Luke 6:28.

If you hurt me, I will forgive

Wickham follows Christ’s example summarized in Ephesians 4:32.

And if you hate me, then I will love you

This is also commanded by Jesus in Luke 6:27.

I choose the Jesus way

Wickham chooses to live as Jesus lived (1 John 2:6).

Oh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Repeats Intro, line 1.

[Verse 2]

If you’re helpless, I will defend you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)

Proverbs 31:8-9 instructs Wickham to defend those who cannot defend themselves.  Also, the second portion repeats Intro, line 1.

If you’re burdened, I’ll share the weight (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)  

According to Galatians 6:2, bearing another’s burdens fulfills the law of Christ.  Also, the second portion repeats Intro, line 1.

And if you’re hopeless, then let me show you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
There’s hope in the Jesus way

Wickham’s hope is in the Son of God (Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 5:1-8, Romans 8:24-39, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, and 1 Peter 1:3-6) and he intends to share it with others (Matthew 28:18-20).  Also, the second part of line 3 repeats Intro, line 1.

[Chorus]

I follow Jesus, I follow Jesus

The word “Christian” literally means “Little Christ”.  It signifies a people who choose to follow Him.  See commentary on Verse 1, line 4.

He wore my sin, I’ll gladly wear His name

He bore Wickham’s lawbreaking (Isaiah 53:4-11, Matthew 8:17, John 1:29, Galatians 3:13, and 1 Peter 2:24).  Wickham is willing to declare himself a follower of Jesus (see line 1).

He is the treasure, He is the answer

He is heaven’s treasure (Matthew 6:19-21, Matthew 19:21, and Luke 12:33) and the answer to our problems (see Verse 2, lines 3 and 4).

Oh, I choose the Jesus way

Essentially repeats Verse 1, line 4.

[Verse 3]

If you strike me, I will embrace you

This is one way to turn the other cheek (Luke 6:29).

And if you chain me, I’ll sing His praise

Much like Paul and Silas did in Acts 16:25.

And if you kill me, my home is Heaven

Wickham is prepared to die for his faith (Luke 14:26 and Philippians 1:21), where he will continue his eternal life with Jesus (Mark 10:29-30, John 3:15-16, John 3:36, John 4:14, John 5:24, John 5:39-40, John 6:27, John 6:40, John 10:28, John 17:3, John 20:31, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:22-23, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Galatians 6:8, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 2:11, Hebrews 5:9, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 John 2:23-27, 1 John 5:10-13, 1 John 5:20, Jude 1:20-21, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 7:16-17, and Revelation 21:3-4).

For I choose the Jesus way

Essentially repeats Verse 1, line 4.

[Bridge]

And I choose surrender, I choose to love

Wickham surrenders to Him (Psalm 43:5, Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6).

Oh God, my Savior, You’ll always be enough

He is Wickham’s portion (Numbers 18:20, Deuteronomy 10:9, Deuteronomy 18:2, Joshua 13:33, Psalm 16:5, Psalm 23:5, Psalm 73:26, Psalm 142:5, Psalm 119:57, Psalm 142:5, Lamentations 3:24, and Ezekiel 44:28).

I choose forgiveness, I choose grace

See Verse 1, line 2.  This concept also applies to the undeserved favor that Wickham received.

I choose to worship, no matter what I face

See Verse 3, line 2.

I choose the Jesus way, I choose the Jesus way
I choose the Jesus way, I choose the Jesus way

Repeats Verse 1, line 4.

[Outro]

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Repeats Outro, line 1.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Poltergeist commentary aside, the ending of Verse 1, “I choose the Jesus way”, sums up an unbeliever’s interpretation of this song.  Wickham’s lyrics intermix clear quotes from Scripture with everyday language, using words and concepts that unbelievers should easily understand, except for the word “sin”.  This word means something more like “mistakes” than “lawbreaking” from their perspective.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus as the One that Wickham adores.  Wickham will obey His precepts and follow His example.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Phil Wickham’s The Jesus Way is amazing.  It lists many commandments and acts to imitate that are key to becoming an effective Christ-follower.  We must endure, forgive, and show kindness to evil people.  We shall shield the defenseless, praise Him regardless of personal circumstances, and prepare to suffer and die for our faith.  We surrender all to Jesus, bringing Him glory.  Aside from misinterpreting the word “sin”, unbelievers should easily conclude similarly.

I highly recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: The Jesus Way (listen to the song)

Artist: Phil Wickham

Album: I BELIEVE

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2023

Duration: 4:44

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*© 2023 Phil Wickham Music (BMI) / Simply Global Songs (BMI) / Cashagamble Jet Music (BMI) / Be Essential Songs (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.