Because He Lives was written by Bill and Gloria Gaither in the early 1970s amid a time of social unrest and personal turmoil. Facing a difficult time with health issues and the arrival of their third child, they found themselves renewed in their faith by the living presence of Jesus, which the song reflects as a source of hope and endurance amidst challenges.
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God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
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He came to love, heal and forgive;
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He lived and died to buy my pardon,
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An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
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Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
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Because He lives, all fear is gone;
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Because I know He holds the future,
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And life is worth the living,
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Just because He lives!
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How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
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And feel the pride and joy he gives;
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But greater still the calm assurance:
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This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
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Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
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Because He lives, all fear is gone;
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Because I know He holds the future,
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And life is worth the living,
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Just because He lives!
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And then one day, I'll cross the river,
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I'll fight life's final war with pain;
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And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,
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I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!