A Hymn for Remembering Martyrs

When asked what he most wanted to be remembered for after his death, Charlie Kirk answered simply: “my courage to stand up for the faith.”

With his testimony in mind, I’d like to share a hymn to remember martyrs, including Charlie Kirk, and how we, too, must be bold in our stand for Christ.

Hymn background. The prolific English hymn writer Isaac Watts penned the words to “Am I a Soldier of the Cross” to illustrate the biblical truth found in 1 Corinthians 16:13 — "Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.”

In Watts' time, England was the greatest power of Europe with a long history of warfare and they were in a constant state of revolution and political and social chaos.

Watts’ congregation would have readily identified with the militant and war-time imagery this hymn depicts, but today’s believers can identify with this imagery as well since our spiritual battle is becoming more visible every day.

Christianity and its biblical worldview are no longer mainstream in America and open hatred toward Christianity makes it more of an act of courage to speak Jesus' name without blushing (stanza 1) or without fear of retaliation.

With the example of many before us — including the recent heartbreaking assassination and martyrdom of Charlie Kirk —let's determine to move through our days with courage, speaking God's truth in love while supported by God’s Word (stanza 4).

Am I a Soldier of the Cross?

by Isaac Watts

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.