"To Christ Be Loyal and True"

      Wow!  We have had a wonderful day of worship today.  Our minister gave us two great lessons.  This morning, he spoke on encouraging those who might fall away from Christ and how important it is to bring them back into the fold.  This afternoon he took a simple phrase from Matthew 26:39 and showed us how important "going a little farther" can be.   
      Jesus went a little farther into the Garden to pray to the Father before His crucifixion.  Jesus prayed three times that "this cup might pass from Him."  Each time He said, "not my will, but yours be done."  After His praying,  Jesus went a little farther by going through His arrest, and trial and torture, and scourging.  Then He went a little farther and allowed Himself to be crucified for our sins.  He went a little farther when He knew He would be separated from God by taking on our sins.  But now -- now God has put in the position of power and authority and glory. 
      We must realize our how important it is to "go a little farther" in our daily lives.  It is all for Jesus.  It isn't about us.  I know we say that a lot, but it really is NOT about us.  If we want a home in heaven with God the Father, and Christ His Son - then we must realize this. 
      One of the songs we sang in worship today particularly touched my heart.  It wasn't anything new.  It is an old familiar hymn that has been sung many times in our congregation.  But the words just kind of sunk deep into my soul today as we sang.  And I think it happens to fit perfectly with both of the lessons we heard.
       The song is "To Christ Be Loyal and Be True."  The lyrics were written by Elisha A. Hoffman and the music was written by D. M. Wilson. This song is meant to stir one to prepare for life's battles -- to hang in there for Christ is with us and will see us through.  We should always be loyal and true to our Savior and Redeemer. 
       Consider the words of the song:
       "To Christ be loyal and be true; His banner be unfurled,
       and borne aloft till is secured the conquest of the world."
Do we unfurl our banner for Christ?  Do people we work with know we are Christians?  Are we willing to live out our faith in their presence?  We should hold our heads up high and proclaim our Christianity.  The goal is to bring others to Christ.  He has overcome the world.
      " To Christ be loyal and be true; He needs brave  
        volunteers to stand against the powers of sin,  moved          not by frowns or fears."   
Don't drop out on Him.  Stay faithful and true.  It's true that He needs us.  To strengthen others so that they hold on through the fight.  Not only that, go a little farther for Christ.  Be brave and stand against what's wrong.  Don't let your faith be shaken by what you face in this world -- frowns or fears.  Defeat the obstacles you face in the fight for faithfulness. 
      "To Christ be loyal and be true; in noble service your
        faith and your fidelity, the fervor of your love."
He loved us so much that He died for us.  The least we can do is live for Him.  Prove your love through your service to Him, your faithfulness to Him.  Don't slip away.  Be loyal and true.
      And finally, the chorus helps us know that as we "go a little farther for Christ" - if we give Him more of ourselves each day, well He is with us and He will give us the strength we need. 
        "To Christ the Lord be true, for He will go with you. And
          help you all your conflicts through, to Christ the Lord
          be true."
      He really will help us through all our conflicts -- through whatever we face.  If we go with Him -- then He goes with us.  So don't give in to satan's call.  Don't be pulled away from the cause of Christ.  Stay in the fight.  Your Redeemer needs you.  You are important to Him.  Think of the sacrifice He made for you and remember that with Him by our side, with His power working in us ... we can face the toughest battles of life.  And we can be a much needed light in this dark world!

Christ above all things,
Robin