Hymn of the Week: Am I a Soldier of the Cross?

After hearing a convicting sermon this evening on service to God, and thinking about a hymn to choose, this one seems quite appropriate.

The first three stanzas especially point out to us that we are not to sit around idly while the battle is being fought; we are soldiers—we must fight! It is both our obligation and our loving service to participate in God's battles again Satan and sin. Why do so many Christians sit on the sidelines? Why do so many of us loaf around spiritually when we should be serving?

I trust the words of this hymn will motivate us all to serve God.

Am I a Soldier of the Cross?

Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower 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 flowery 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 victory through the skies,
The glory shall be Thine.