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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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Ramona, CA, United States
I used to sing this song when I was younger (20 yrs ago). Woke up today, started singing the parts I remembered, then looked up the lyrics. After singing the first couple verses, just started crying (with joy I guess). If not already, I hope I will one day be saved and I hope the same for you all. May God bless!
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
I love this rousing song from the pen of Alfred Ackley. He is quite a musical maestro who eventually became an ordained Presbyterian minister. I remember in primary school in Singapore we clapped our hands when we sing this song to give its rhythm. I know He lives [hold], He lives within my heart.
Surakarta, Indonesia
I woke to this song, what a blessing Godly music is. Truly this experience is mine as well. Praise the Lord for a living Savior.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
We sang this song in the children's choir in Lincoln, Nebraska at North Minister Presbyterian Church for Easter. It greatly moved me then in the 1950's and still does today. Yesterday we sang it in Church and it brought tears if Joy to my eyes and fond memories of how Joyfully we sang it by memory for our congregation. Thank You Judy for being our choir Director and teaching us to minister to others with music.
Houston, Texas
My wife and I are firm believers of Christ Jesus though that we were sinners and He has walked and talked with us but we always never really listened then when we thought that we ran far enough away from Him somehow someway when we felt that we weren't gonna have anything He'd always came through. You see if anything I said made any sense know this that He will never give ya what you think ya want but He by His will meet and give you what ya need and you can take that to the bank with all that being said may God meet your needs today. Just ask and believe that. Your friends, BIG ROB AND SYLVIA.
Madison, IN
I came across your website while searching for the story behind this hymn for the church bulletin board. At a Lenten community service recently the minister told us the story and recited the lyrics. The way he spoke was so inspiring that the congregation broke out in applause. That hadn't happened at any other Lenten service and I don't recall that ever happening at a regular church service in my experience where the people spontaneously broke into applause at the conclusion. Maybe a few 'Amens'... Anyway, I love the music available on your site and will be back.
Chicago, Illinois
Just like Lori, I recall this song which was sung at my church (Carter Chapel CME Church in Amarillo Texas) on Resurrection Sunday (Easter). My mother was in the church choir and they all had their white robes. The church rang out with the hymn and made you believe that Christ was present right there.
Since He lives, we know He is coming back and the way things are going in the world, it seems to be approaching. Make sure you are ready for the price of not being ready is tragic. Hallelujah!!!
Albuquerque, New Mexico
I remember as a child singing this in church and having a picture in my mind of Jesus and I walking and talking along a grassy path at the edge of a wooded area. I remember feeling so special because He was walking with and listening to me, a little kid!
I want this sung at my funeral.
Rapid City, South Dakota, United States
This great hymn also has had a big impact in my life. The words alone when recited testify of our faith in a RISEN Saviour. I am reminded that only the Christian believer can make the claim that OUR Lord rose from the dead...I know of no other faith that can make this claim. I am also reminded that all of the Apostles (except John) were martyred not only because of their faith in Christ but also because of their testimony of their RISEN Saviour. How could they deny the fact that they experienced Jesus' ALIVE in physical presence after they witnessed first hand the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of our Lord. And then to read Jesus' words to Thomas saying "Because you have seen me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed". I share with Paul where he says, " I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may KNOW the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. Happy Easter!
North Branford, CT, United States
I sang this song in my waking hours and so I was looking for the text on the internet and found you.
Thank you for your piano playing - my Lord blessed me through it.