He Lives!
What is the true evidence of our risen Savior? There are many books on Christian Apologetics
that give great evidences for the resurrection of Jesus – and those books are
valuable. The ultimate evidence,
however, lies in a changed life.
Alfred Ackley was the younger brother of Bentley Ackley,
pianist for Homer Rodheaver, song leader for the Billy Sunday campaigns ongoing
in the first couple decades of the 20th Century. Alfred initially studied music himself,
before turning to the study of Scripture and becoming a pastor.
Alfred was at a pastorate in California when two events
in two days absolutely incensed him. The
day before Easter, in 1932, Alfred was witnessing to a Jewish man who resisted
the faith saying, “Why should I worship a dead Jew?” Alfred pondered this question all night, and
was up early the next morning preparing to go to Easter services. While getting ready, the radio was on and
Alfred heard the preacher on the radio say, “Good morning – it’s Easter! You know, folks, it really doesn’t make any
difference to me if Christ be risen or not.
The main thing is, His truth goes marching on!”
Hearing this preacher, Alfred shouted, “It’s a lie!” His wife came running into the room,
exclaiming “Why are you shouting so early in the morning?” Flustered, Alfred said, “Did you hear what
that good-for-nothing preacher just said?”
That evening, Alfred continued to grouse over what he had heard until
his wife had to tell him to do something with his anger.
Alfred went into his study that Easter evening and
re-read the resurrection story from Mark’s Gospel. As he read, he began to write, and ended up
composing a song.
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!
In all the world around me I see His loving care;
And tho’ my heart grows weary, I never will despair.
I know that He is leading thro’ all the stormy blast.
The day of His appearing will come at last.
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, life up your voice and
sing.
Eternal Hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King.
The hope of all who see Him, the help of all who find.
None other is so loving, so good and kind.
Morgan, Robert J., Then Sings My Soul, Thomas Nelson
Publishers, 2003.
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