Onward, Christian Soldiers

2 Timothy 2:3-7
Our brother Paul writes…share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

 Onward, Christian Soldiers LBW 509

 1    Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
     with the cross of Jesus going on before.
      Christ, the royal master, leads against the foe;
      forward into battle, see, his banners go!

      Refrain Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
      with the cross of Jesus going on before.

2    Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
      let us boldly follow where the saints have trod.
      We are not divided; all one body we;
      one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.  Refrain

3    Onward, then, you faithful, join our happy throng;
      blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
      Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the king.
      We through countless ages with the angels sing:  Refrain

Text: Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924

      Ever since Paul told the Ephesians to don the full armor of God, Christian writers have used martial images to speak about the spread of the Gospel. But when Sabine Baring-Gould wrote this hymn, he had a marching song for children going to Sunday School in mind.  Later, he apologized for the hymn, stating that he had written it in great haste.

      He owes no apology to me  While I tend to lean toward pacifism, I am dismayed by the recent movement among Christian churches to remove all mention of military images from every vestige of Christian witness.  We live in a passive age, unaccustomed to defending our faith or convictions.  But the history of the Faith is steeped in conflict, and images of battle and soldiering are common in the NT.  We might want to think twice about excising an image that someone as notable as St. Paul found faithful.  For who knows when we might be called again to do battle for the sake of the Faith? “Onward, then, you faithful, join our happy throng; blend with ours your voices in the triumph song. Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the king. We through countless ages with the angels sing: Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus we report for duty.  Keep us faithful, strong and true.  Like good soldiers, may we serve the cause of God with courage.  Amen.