Am I a Soldier of the Cross?

This is not the hymn we will be singing in class this Sunday. We will be going back over one of the two introduced in the last two weeks. The words to this hymn came to my mind this week as I was looking over the topic for this week's lesson. Mr. By-Ends in John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is the personification of easy believism and convenient Christianity. I should have that lesson posted either later today or early tomorrow. In the mean time, here are some words to think about. This hymn asks the critical question "What is it costing you to be a Christian?" I am sure Mr By-Ends would have difficulty singing this hymn. It certainly gives me pause to consider that question. Does it give you pause? The tune that I have always sung this hymn to is called Marlow. I'm going to be lazy today and simply point you over to The Cyber Hymnal to listen to that tune. Any Common Meter tune will work. Isaac Watts is the author of the hymn.

Am I a soldier of the cross, A foll'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'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 view the triumph from afar, And seize it with their eye. When that illustrious day shall rise, And all thine armies shine In robes of vict'ry through the skies, The glory shall be thine.