"Sure I must fight IF I WOULD REIGN; increase my courage, Lord"
GREAT hymn by Isaac Watts. I think it's Biblical teaching (Luke 22:28-30; Romans 8:17; Philippians 1:29; II Timothy 2:12; Hebrews 10:35-39; 11:13-16; 12:1-2; 13:11-14), and something those who are the followers of Jesus Christ need to be reminded of much more frequently.
It's about those who are justified by faith (Romans 5:1) living the LIFE OF FAITH we are called to.
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.
QUESTION: Sure, I am a child of God, but am I really "in the Lord's army" if I do nearly everything I can to avoid ever stepping out onto the battlefield?