Backward Christian Soldiers

 

“Backward Christian Soldiers”

 

Backward Christian soldiers, Fleeing from the fight,

With the cross of Jesus, Nearly out of sight.

Christ our rightful master, Stands against the foe;

Onward into battle, we seem afraid to go.

Backward Christian soldiers, Fleeing from the fight,

With the cross of Jesus, Nearly out of sight.

 

Like a mighty tortoise, Moves the church of God.

Brothers we are treading, Where we’ve often trod.

We are much divided, Many bodies we,

Having different doctrines, but not much charity.

Backward Christian soldiers, Fleeing from the fight,

With the cross of Jesus, Nearly out of sight.

 

Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane,

But the cross of Jesus Hidden does remain.

Gates of hell should never ‘gainst the Church prevail,

We have Christ’s own promise, but we think it might fail.

Backward Christian soldiers, Fleeing from the fight,

With the cross of Jesus, Nearly out of sight.

 

Sit here then ye people, Join our sleeping throng.

Blend with ours, your voices in a feeble song.

Blessings, ease, and comfort Ask from Christ the King,

But with our modern thinking, We won’t do a thing.

Backward Christian soldiers, Fleeing from the fight,

With the cross of Jesus, Nearly out of sight.

This anonymous inversion of the classic missionary hymn, "Onward Christian Soldiers" should make us wince. But more importantly, does it motivate us to action? 

Most of us can recite the great commission (Matt 28:18–20) from memory, but are we actually obeying it?  Does the call of Christ to make disciples give us focus and encouragement—even purpose—in our daily lives? Or does it seems like someone else's job?

Brothers and sisters, may the sting of an awkward hymn wake up us to the urgent need of the lost and dying on our doorsteps. And by God's grace, may we make much of Christ.