Am I a Soldier of the Cross
Words by Isaac Watts
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follow’r of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flow’ry beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord;
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith’s discerning eye.
When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of vict’ry through the skies,
The glory shall be Thine
I believe our persecuted brothers and sisters on restricted nations would sing this hynn with deep conviction. For these words speak of those who have picked up the cross in places like North Korea and Somalia. These words would resonate in the hearts of those believers who are imprisoned in places like Iran and China. The words of this hymn would resonates deeply in the hearts of our persecuted brothers and sisters.
But to many in the American evangelical church the words Am I a Soldier of the Cross would have no meaning or conviction. If anything we in America would relate to the second verse of this hymn,
Must I be carried to the skies
On flow’ry beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Isaac Watts may prophetically have had in mind those who would embrace a pre-trib rapture. Those who would teach us, in the West that we in America, would not go through persecution or tribulation. That we would be taken into the presence of the Lamb.
On that day I would have to hang my head in shame in the presence of my persecuted brothers and sisters that have sailed through the stormy and bloody seas. Those who have carried the cross and won the prize. It would be much like one have been given a gold medal in the Olympics and not have competed in the games. How would the rest of the athletes who have trained and competed view this?
But then Isaac Watts may have prophetically had in mind those of us in America. Those of us who believe that we are immune from persecution. Even some here in this forum reject the notion that persecution will come to America.
In a post on another thread somebody said why must others insist on their right that persecution will come to America. I say respectfully to that person where in the New Testament does it say that believers in the United States of America are exempt from persecution. For that matter I ask anybody in this forum to show me from the scriptures that we are exempt from persecution. For that matter where in the New Testament does it say that believers in the United States are exempt from carrying the cross? Jesus said that if we are to be his disciples that we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow him. If one is saying that we in America are exempt from persecution. Then we are saying that we are exempt from the cross. And by implication we are exempt from being his disciples. I say, without reservation, the New Testament does not teach this. If we claim to be followers of Jesus Christ and there is a cross that we are to pick up.
For those who reject the notion of persecution coming to America is it possible that they reject the reality of the cross of Jesus Christ in their lives.
Forum those of you who reject the notion of persecution. Look at the words of Isaac Watts above and tell me if you can sing this song with a clear conscience. Even though I do not reject the notion of persecution coming to America. I really wonder if I could sing this song with a clear conscience. I pray to God I can. I pray to God that I am a soldier of the cross. A follower of the Lamb. For God has said to be such a soldier will invite persecution and martyrdom. Even here in America.
I close my post by saying are we soldiers of the cross and followers of the Lamb? Are we followers of Jesus Christ? Truly sing the words of Isaac wants above with a clear conscience? Only God really knows the heart of each one of us.
From the foot of His cross.
Brother Blaine