How Do You Know He Lives?

How long has it been since you examined the hymns you sing in church? I lead my family each evening in a time of family worship. We do three basic things, we pray, read the infalliable Word of God (the Bible), and we sing. Oftentimes we sing from the hymnals that I bought for each family member. Last night my eldest son requested that we sing "He Lives!" I wholeheartedly agree with the message that Jesus lives! PRAISE GOD! However, when coming to the last stanza of this old favourite hymn of mine I almost stumbled over the words.

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!

Yes, Jesus does live in my heart. Yet, is that truly the way that I know he lives? I submit to you that feelings can deceive. Ours is a culture that tells us "if it feels good, do it." And sadly, this attitude has carried over into the church. What should be the proper answer to the question of "How do you know He lives?" My answer is thus. He lives, because He tells me so in this passage:

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Rev 1:18)

2 Peter 1:3 tells us that through the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, He has given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness. We know that this knowledge of Christ is given to us through His Word.

So, brothers, Sola Scriptura (scripture alone), is the cry that I proclaim. Anything else is just fluff and deceitful feelings.