Casting Crowns - Only Jesus Lyrics
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Make it count, leave a mark, build a name for yourself
Dream your dreams, chase your heart, above all else
Make a name the world remembers
But all an empty world can sell is empty dreams
I got lost in the light but it was up to me
To make a name the world remembers
But Jesus is the only name to remember .
And I, I don't want to leave a legacy
I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I've only got one life to live
I'll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus .
All the kingdoms built, all the trophies won
Will crumble into dust when it's said and done
'Cause all that really matters
Did I live the truth to the ones I love?
Was my life the proof that there is only One
Whose name will last forever? .
And I don't want to leave a legacy
I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I've only got one life to live
I'll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus .
[Interlude] .
[Bridge]
Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name to remember, ooh
Jesus is the only name, Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name to remember .
[Chorus]
And I don't want to leave a legacy
I, I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I've only got one life to live
I, I'll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus .
I, I don't want to leave a legacy
I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus
Video
Casting Crowns - Only Jesus (Official Music Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released in late 2018, Casting Crowns' "Only Jesus" stands as a powerful anthem proclaiming the singular sufficiency and transformative power of Christ in a world often searching for answers elsewhere. The song emerges from the band's extensive catalog of faith-focused music, a consistent thread of theological depth woven into accessible melodies, and this track is no exception. Its core message resonates with the foundational tenet of Christian belief: that Jesus is the sole source of salvation, redemption, and ultimate hope. The narrative within the song speaks to the human tendency to seek fulfillment in transient things – worldly achievements, personal strength, or even religious rituals performed without true connection. It contrasts this striving with the profound peace and completeness found only in surrendering to Jesus. This isn't just about acknowledging Jesus' existence; it's a declaration that He alone is the answer to our deepest longings, the healer of our brokenness, and the one who grants true freedom.
The biblical underpinnings of "Only Jesus" are rich and deeply supportive of its message. The song echoes the Apostle Paul's declaration in Philippians 3:7-9, where he counts all earthly gains as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord. Just as Paul found his identity and righteousness not in his own efforts or lineage but through faith in Christ, so too does this song call listeners to abandon self-reliance and place their complete trust in Jesus. The emphasis on Jesus as the "only way" directly aligns with His own words in John 14:6, where He states, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This is not a narrow or exclusionary statement but a profound revelation of His unique role in reconciling humanity to God. Furthermore, the song's exploration of transformation and new life through Christ points to concepts like being "born again" as described in John 3:3, and the spiritual rebirth that occurs when one follows Jesus, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" The message is a call to radical dependence on Christ, recognizing that our own efforts are insufficient to achieve eternal life or lasting peace, but through Him, all things are possible. It’s an encouragement to shed the weight of self-sufficiency and embrace the liberating truth that in Jesus, we are made whole.