Am I A Soldier Of The Cross

Isaac Watts, 1674ﾖ1748 Endure hardship with us like a good solder of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairsﾗhe wants to please his commanding officer. (2 Timothy 2:3, 4) The Church founded by Christ has been built on the blood of martyrs. It has been estimated that at least 50 million persons have had a martyrﾒs death since the crucifixion of our Lord. Even today, in our 20th century civilized culture, large numbers of believers live under conditions of harassment and persecution. According to historical tradition, many of Christﾒs disciples and followers were persecuted by enemies of their Master with the following fates: Matthewﾗsuffered martyrdom by being slain in the city of Ethiopia. Markﾗdied at Alexandria, after being dragged through the streets of that city. Lukeﾗhanged on an olive tree in the classic land of Greece. Johnﾗput in boiling oil. Afterward branded at Patmos. Peterﾗcrucified at Rome with his head downward. James the Lesserﾗthrown from a pinnacle of the temple, then beaten to death. Bartholomewﾗflayed alive. Andrewﾗbound to a cross, where he preached to his persecutors until he died. Judeﾗshot to death with arrows. Matthiasﾗfirst stoned and then beheaded. Barnabas of the Gentilesﾗstoned to death at Salonica. Paulﾗafter various tortures and persecutions, beheaded at Rome by Emperor Nero. In Isaac Wattsﾒ time, much persecution was inflicted upon the English Dissentersﾗthose who had split from the official, state Anglican church. Stalwarts such as Isaac Watts became resolute and fearless in their proclamation and defense of the gospel. ﾓAm I a Soldier of the Cross?ﾔ was written in 1724, following a sermon by Watts titled ﾓHoly Fortitude or Remedies Against Fears.ﾔ These words are still a challenge for us today: Am I a soldier of the cross? A follﾒwer 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ﾒry beds of ease, while others fought to win the prize and sailed thru 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ﾗIncrease my courage, Lord! Iﾒll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Thy Word. For Today: 1 Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 6:10ﾖ20; 1 Timothy 6:12; Jude 3 Even now, pray for those who are suffering for Christ and the work of the gospel in difficult areas around the world. Reflect on these musical questionsﾗ Osbeck, K. W. (1996). Amazing grace: 366 inspiring hymn stories for daily devotions (314ﾖ315). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.