“Because He Lives” (Rejoice! Hymn Book, #182) is one of the most loved and frequently used songs written by Bill & Gloria Gaither. Originally used by the Gaither Trio and other southern gospel groups, the song became popular for use in local church congregations and choirs.
Gloria has shared in interviews how the song came to be written. She and Bill were nearing the date when their third child was to be born. Her mind was filled with fears about how this child and their other two children would be able to face life in the world which at that time was in real turmoil.
She writes her account: “I am a wife and a mother. It was in the middle of the upheaval in the ’60s that we were expecting our third baby. The drug culture was in full swing, existential thought had obviously saturated every area of our American thought, the cities were seething with racial tension, and the God-is-dead pronouncement had giggled its way all through our educational system.”
She explains that Bill had been down physically and emotionally with mononucleosis. They had been verbally attacked by a close friend for their Christian ministry. The stress on them was intense. Gloria continues:
“It was on New Year’s Eve that I sat alone in the darkness and quiet of our living room, thinking about the world and our country and Bill’s discouragement and the family problems – and about our baby yet unborn. Who in their right mind would bring a child into a world like this? I thought. The world is so evil. Influences beyond our control are so strong. What will happen to this child? I can’t quite explain what happened at that moment, but suddenly I felt released from it all. The panic that had begun to build inside was gently dispelled by a reassuring presence that engulfed my life and drew my attention.
“Gradually, the fear left and the joy began to return. I knew I could have that baby and face the future with optimism and trust. It was the Resurrection affirming itself in our lives once again. It was LIFE conquering death in the regularity of my day.”
The second verse was the first part of the song that was written, relating the birth of their new baby to the hope we find in Jesus’ resurrection. The rest of the song was written around that second verse.
Bill named the tune for the song, “Resurrection.” For truly, it is the resurrection of Jesus Christ that provides the foundation of our confidence in salvation and eternal life. “Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives.”
– Doug Little serves as Chair of the Free Will Baptist Music Commission and leads worship weekly at a Free Will Baptist Church in middle Tennessee.