“Soldiers of Christ, Arise”
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Thinking of the growing trend of attacks on believers, and their beliefs, which has become rampant lately, brings to mind the hymn, “Soldiers of Christ, Arise”.
The Hymn, “Soldiers of Christ, Arise” — Methodist Hymn 484; GBH 384 — was authored by Charles Wesley in 1749, and published in the 817 Hymnals. Wesley initially wrote the hymn as a poem titled “The Whole Armour of God, Ephesians VI” in 1747 and was used to defend against criticism of Methodism in the United Kingdom. During their evangelical careers, both Charles Wesley and his brother John Wesley received physical abuse. As a result, this hymn was written and also became known as “The Christian’s bugle blast” because of the military references and the apparent call to arms when it was set to music. The hymn was published as “Soldiers of Christ, Arise” in 1749 in “Hymns and Sacred Poems” with 16 verses of 8 lines. In 1780, it was published as a hymn in John Wesley’s “A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodists” with 12 verses. Since 1847, the hymn is usually only performed with 3 verses.
Together with his brother John, Charles Wesley became an indefatigable itinerant field preacher. His feelings on every occasion of importance, whether private or public, found their best expression in a hymn. He is said to have written no less than 6500 hymns!
Please find the popular three verses of, “Soldiers of Christ, Arise“, below.
- Soldiers of Christ, arise,
And put your armour on,
Strong in the strength which God supplies
Through His eternal Son;
Strong in the Lord of Hosts,
And in His mighty power,
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts
Is more than conqueror.
2. Stand then in His great might,
With all His strength endued;
But take, to arm you for the fight,
The panoply of God;
That, having all things done,
And all your conflicts passed,
Ye may o’ercome through Christ alone,
And stand entire at last.
3. Stand then against your foes.
In close and Arm array;
Legions of wily fiends oppose
Throughout the evil day :
But meet the sons of night;
But mock their vain design,
Armed in the arms of heavenly light,
Of righteousness divine.
The militant hymn, “Soldiers of Christ Arise”, was based on Ephesians 6:10-18.
READ Ephesians 6:10-18
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—.”
(Ephesians 6:10-18)
The recent attacks on believers in Christ have been brazen, scathing, and vicious. They happen all over the place: on TV, on radio, on Facebook, on Youtube, elsewhere online; and everywhere they deem fit! They mostly employ flawed logic, fallacies, heresies, intimidation and sometimes brazen insults; all in a bid to make believing in Christ, and His sacrificial death, look unintelligent, retarded and stupid! I have a number of such people on my prayer list daily; but it has become so bad that some find it difficult to declare their faith in Christ in certain environments!
Child of God, these things are not new! Interestingly, I have heard many testify that these same people who antagonize believers, call for pastors in their final moments, when they are faced with the stark realities of life here, and what lies after!
We — Children of God — need not falter! We need to stand firm! We need to be believers in Christ, unapologetically! We need not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ!
Apostle Paul was one gallant soldier of the cross of Christ! Indeed in his letter to the Corinthians, he wrote:
“I have been put in jail more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again and again. Five different times the Jews gave me their terrible thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I was in the open sea all night and the whole next day. I have traveled many weary miles and have been often in great danger from flooded rivers and from robbers and from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the hands of the Gentiles. I have faced grave dangers from mobs in the cities and from death in the deserts and in the stormy seas and from men who claim to be brothers in Christ but are not. I have lived with weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Often I have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food; often I have shivered with cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. Then, besides all this, I have the constant worry of how the churches are getting along!” (2 Corinthians 11:23-28 TLB)
Paul went through all the above; for Christ! When such a person writes, “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might,” he is not just talking. He lived it!
John and Charles Wesley also endured physical abuse because of what they believed; but they endured, and we have beautiful hymns and the universal Methodist Church today!
What are you enduring for Christ? If ever you are tempted to give up, remember the Apostle Paul and what he endured; and also remember the Wesley brothers and their persecutions; then raise your voice and sing “Soldiers of Christ, Arise!”
MEMORY VERSE
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
QUESTIONS
1. Are you being persecuted for believing in Christ?
2. Why not encourage yourself in the Lord; then pray for those who persecute you?
PRAYER TIP
Father, please help us to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand!
Written by:
BENNY MALM
For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL
CREDITS:
- HYMNARY.ORG
- WIKIPEDIA
URGENT CALL
By nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God. We ultimately face the wrath of God!
But God in His mercy and love gives us a chance to reverse this trend, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God!
Do you want to make that decision today?
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God richly bless you
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