It seems to me that today the Church generally does not like to talk about anything involving war. Our sermons, our music and our actions generally fail to portray the truth that we are engaged in a serious spiritual battle with Satan. Often they don't seem to recognize the enemy, nor the need to fight him. Yet he has been attacking our beliefs, our way of life. our religious liberties and especially our families like never before. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
In Ephesians 6:11-12 we are told to "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." This is a battle which we must take seriously.
In 1915 Bessie F. Hartcher penned a song which is a powerful reminder to believers that we must take our place in this battle. We must stay on the firing line and be brave and fight against all evil that would come against us. And we don't need to look too hard to see these attacks today. They are more evident than ever. We must be consistent in our walk with God and we must "never run, nor even lag behind" in this battle.
And we need not fear, the victory is the Lord's. He gives us the whole armor of God which we need to claim daily to fight this spiritual battle. In Romans .8:37-39 we are told "In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord".
Now I admit that at times today as we view what is happening in our country and in our culture it does become easy to get discouraged. It is easy to think that maybe Satan is winning. But He isn't. Remember the scriptures quoted above. God is in control. The victory is His. We are to keep our trust in Him and just "keep on the firing line."
1. If you're in the battle for the Lord and right,
Keep on the firing line;
If you win, my brother, surely you must fight,
Keep on the firing line;
There are many dangers that we all must face,
If we die still fighting it is no disgrace;
Cowards in the service will not find a place,
So keep on the firing line.
Refrain:
Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil,
Never run, nor even lag behind;
If you would win for God and the right,
Just keep on the firing line.
2. God will only use the soldier He can trust,
Keep on the firing line;
If you'll wear a crown then bear the cross you must,
Keep on the firing line.
Life is but to labor for the Master dear,
Help to banish evil and to spread good cheer;
Great you'll be rewarded for your service here,
So keep on the firing line.
Refrain:
Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil,
Never run, nor even lag behind;
If you would win for God and the right,
Just keep on the firing line.
3. When we get to heaven, brother, we'll be glad,
Keep on the firing line;
How we'll praise the Savior for the call we had,
Keep on the firing line;
When we see the souls that we have helped to win,
Leading them to Jesus, from the paths of sin,
With a shout of welcome, we will all march in,
So keep on the firing line.
Refrain:
Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil,
Never run, nor even lag behind;
If you would win for God and the right,
Just keep on the firing line.
Listen to it here. FIRING
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