There are particular moments from early childhood that many remember vividly.
It may be good things and it may be bad things.
Some moments are big and other ones are small.
But these moments for some reason, just stick out to us.
One moment that often comes to mind randomly but always providentially is when I was a kid, in church, singing along with choir and congregation. In this memory, the air is warm and the sanctuary is bright with color as we sing the words,
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone,
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!”
The memory is splendid and I used to wonder why this seemingly small clip of my life constantly plays over and over in my mind.
I am consistently reminded, by the Lord I am sure, of the assurance that used to wash over me as I sang the lyrics, looking around at the people singing the Gaither classic.
Their faces joyful along with mine as we all recall the power of Christ’s resurrection and present-day position in the throne room of God.
Because He Lives was written in 1969 by Bill and Gloria Gaither during the height of the Vietnam War, racial tensions, and large-scale change in the United States.
Despite it all, the song called the nation to not look around at the madness, but rather up to the resurrected, ascended Christ.
Is this not the very same message that a hurt, confused nation needs to embrace today?
That because Jesus is alive, we can be made alive as well? That because Jesus is alive, we can live with no fear?
Read with me for a moment these verses of encouragement:
- Romans 6:4~ “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
- Romans 8:11~ “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
- Romans 8:34~ “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
As Christ is alive, by belief, we can be made alive as well! Being alive in Christ, we are giving the Holy Spirit! With the Holy Spirit, of the resurrected Christ, we have hope.
Paul teaches in Romans 5:1-5 that,
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Here is where the trickle down effect takes place and we see why we have nothing to fear, because He lives!
Because of the love of God made accessible through Christ’s death and resurrection, we have hope and we have peace.
God’s love drives out fear and we can know true peace, because He lives.
John proclaims,
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
In Christ, we can confidently sing the words of the song, Because He Lives.
We can because we serve a risen, living God and “greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Jesus Himself affirms this when He tells His disciples to “be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
So if you agree with me when I say that all the things of this world to fear have been overcome, and our Heavenly inheritance is the only thing awaiting us, then let your heart sing with mine these words-
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone,
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!”