Kari Jobe – The Cause of Christ

American artist and songwriter Kari Jobe became active in 2003, serving as Associate Worship Pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.  She gained prominence with her cover of Jennie Lee Riddle’s Revelation Song and Katie Torwalt & Bryan Torwalt’s Holy Spirit.

Jobe released five albums and one EP, including:

• Bethlehem (2007)
• Kari Jobe (2009)
• Where I Find You (2012)
• The Acoustic Sessions (Live) (EP, 2012)
• Majestic (2014)
• The Garden (2017)

She won a Grammy in 2013 for Best Contemporary Christian Album (Where I Find You) and three Doves:

• Spanish Language Album of the Year (Le Canto [Spanish version of Kari Jobe]) (2010)
• Special Events Album of the Year (Glory Revealed II: The Word of God in Worship) (2010, with Matt Maher)
• Recorded Music Packaging of the Year (The Garden) (2017)

Also, check out my review of Forever.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

This song is Kari Jobe’s testimony, that we remember her as someone whose top priority was to serve, love, honor, and glorify Jesus.  She desires to:

• Extend the Kingdom of God by telling the good news about Christ to others.
• Be known as a follower of Jesus by how she serves others.
• Sacrifice her life for these two causes, bringing her joy.
• Address questions with the reason for her hope in Jesus.

In this, her reward will be eternal life with God.

This song follows basic format, except that the song does not end with Chorus.

Score: 10/10

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

This song is Biblical.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

The only thing I want in life
Is to be known for loving Christ

Jobe’s identity is rooted in her relationship with Jesus, shown in how she loves others (John 13:34-35).

To build His church, to love His bride
And make His name known far and wide

This communicates two concepts

• Furthering the Kingdom of God by making more disciples, telling others about Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20).
• To love one another as Christians (see commentary on lines 1 and 2).

[Chorus]

For this cause I live
For this cause I’d die
I surrender all
For the cause of Christ
All I once held dear
I will leave behind
For my joy is this
Oh, the cause of Christ

Jobe surrenders to God, becoming His servant (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).  She counted the cost to follow Jesus.  It will cost her life, leaving worldly goods behind her (Luke 14:25-33) for the joy of knowing Christ personally (Philippians 3:8).

[Verse 2]

He is all my soul will prize
Regardless of the joy or trial

Lest Jobe becomes disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27).

When agonizing questions rise
In Jesus all my hope abides

It is her faith in Jesus that allows Jobe to address the onslaught of questions that attempts to partition her from God.  She sanctifies Christ as Lord, prepared to answer those who ask her for the hope she has in her (1 Peter 3:15).

[Bridge]

Jesus, my Jesus
For Your glory, for Your name

Jobe’s behavior is for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31 and 1 Corinthians 10:31).

Jesus, my Jesus

Repeats line 1.

I will only sing Your praise

So long as Jobe has breath, she will sing praises to Christ (Psalm 104:33, Psalm 145:1-2, and Psalm 146:2).

Jesus, my Jesus
For Your glory, for Your name
Jesus, my Jesus
I will only sing Your praise
Jesus, my Jesus
For Your glory, for Your name
Jesus, my Jesus
I will only sing Your praise

Repeats lines 1-4.

[Verse 3]

It is not fame that I desire
Nor stature in my brother’s eye
I pray it’s said about my life
That I lived more to build Your name than mine

Jobe’s prayer is that her legacy will be how she followed Jesus, not her earthly accomplishments.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

I see no reason to think that my conclusion in section 1 would be different than the typical unbeliever’s interpretation of this song.  Jobe’s language consists of a healthy mix of everyday and Christianese, explicitly naming Jesus as her most precious desire.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God in that Jobe’s testimony is to follow Jesus, even if it costs her life.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Kari Jobe’s The Cause of Christ is an excellent testimonial.  God is Jobe’s #1 priority, willing to sacrifice her worldly goods, her career, and her life so that she can serve others, showing love and bringing more into the Kingdom, glorifying God.  Unbelievers will find interpretation easy.

Leaders that worship with testimonials may want to consider adding this to their roster.

Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: The Cause of Christ (listen to the song)

Artist: Kari Jobe

Album: The Garden

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2017

Duration: 4:57

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*Copyright © 2016 SHOUT! Music Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) / Musical Moodswing (SESAC) Worship Together Music (BMI) Capitol CMG Amplifier (SESAC) Kari Jobe Carnes Music (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.