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I serve a risen Savior He's in the world today. I know that He is living, Whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy; I hear His voice of cheer; And just the time I need Him He's always near. |
| He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart. |
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In all the world around me I see His loving care, And though my heart grows weary, I never will despair; I know that He is leading, Through all the stormy blast; The day of His appearing Will come at last. |
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Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, Lift up your voice and sing Eternal hallelujahs To Jesus Christ the King! The Hope of all who seek Him, The Help of all who find, None other is so loving, So good and kind. |
Throughout the centuries, all the living servants of God have had this resurrected Christ living in them. I can also testify that He lives in me, enabling me to do what I never could do in myself. Hallelujah, the Lord Jesus lives! How do we know He lives? As the hymn says, we know He lives because He lives in us (Hymns, #503). We may be persecuted and opposed, and we may suffer very much. But we have the resurrected Christ in us. The more we are opposed, the more alive and active we become. Nevertheless, our testimony is this: Not I, but the grace of God with us.
Many Bible readers do not have this understanding of the word witness; even our understanding is not this deep. In Galatians 2:20 Paul said, "I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me." This is the meaning of being a witness. A witness is a person who has Christ living in him. The chorus of a hymn says, "He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! /...You ask me how I know He lives? / He lives within my heart" (Hymns, #503). His living in us proves that He has resurrected and that He is living.
This is a good hymn, and I appreciate it. The chorus says that we know Christ lives because He walks with us and talks with us. However, this is not as good as saying that we know Christ lives because He lives within our heart. In answer to the question, "How do you know Christ lives?" the chorus of this hymn answers, "He lives within my heart!" We know that the Lord lives not simply because He walks with us and talks with us, but because He lives in us.
How do you know Christ lives? You should answer this question by saying, "I know He lives because He lives in me." Likewise, if we are asked if we have seen the Lord Jesus, we should say, "Yes, I have seen the Lord, for He lives in me. Even while you are asking me this question, He lives in me. Because He lives in me, I see Him. Even now as I am speaking, I can see Him. While I am speaking to you, He is speaking to me. I am simply a transmitter speaking whatever He speaks to me."
The Lord's word, "Because I live, you shall live also," certainly was fully fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. When Peter stood up with the eleven, that was Christ in resurrection. Peter's speaking was also Christ in resurrection. If someone had asked Peter where Christ is, he might have said, "Christ is here. Don't you see me? If you see me, you see Christ because He lives in me."
Piano Hymns
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Charlotte, NC, United States
On occasion I need the encouragement provided by Ackley's reminder that "I serve a Risen Savior", Praise God, for my Savior's resurrection is my Hope of Eternity.
Doha, Qatar
My mom sang this song to me when I was 5 years old. It has remained in my heart ever since.
Letchworth Garden City, United Kingdom
We sang this hymn every year on the anniversary of my church. I loved it as a child and it is still within my heart now and I find myself humming it when I need it.
Weymouth, Dorset, United Kingdom
Truly beautiful. The blend of words and music is deeply moving.
Mt. Gilead, NC, United States
I wonder why we only sing this song at Easter? It was wonderful to attend a sunrise service in Gettysburg, PA. Even more wonderful was an aunt, who was having speech problems from a stroke a few weeks earlier, joined in singing the song in the car after the service. She did not miss a word. The song has so much meaning.
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Wonderful to hear this hymn again-great childhood memories of special moments when this hymn was sung. Now at Easter, this hymn and especially the lyrics have been on my heart and mind...my prayer that my children's children would also some day sing the hymn with joyful faith in our living Savior Jesus Christ!
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Favorite hymm since I was a little girl. Now the meaning says it all to me. Especially this time of year. Putting a copy of the song in my Grandaughters Easter gift.
This song came to mind today. The more I hummed and sang it the more I wanted to climb up on the roof and shout it out!!
Winston-Salem, NC, United States
My favorite childhood hymn that lifts my spirits. So wonderful to hear it again.
Khartoum, (Sudan), Kenya
Feeling low today, then this tune comes to my mind. I'm looking on the up again. God's name be praised! Amen.