'Warriors Of The Cross'

Salvation and its freedoms are as a flourishing garden, but when untended they fade away. It takes hard work and tender loving care in order to benefit and enjoy its fruits. Sometimes even blood, sweat and tears for the preservation of its liberty. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, the apostles and many others after them gave of themselves for what we now enjoy today as Christians. They did it for the things that make the Christian life worth living. They did it for the love they bore for the country above and He that sits upon the throne thereof.

Heb 11:32 & 34 "By faith Abraham..., Isaac..., Jacob..., Joseph..., Moses..., Rahab..., and what shall I say more? for time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barack, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens."

It is only right that we carry on with the 'up-keep' of these privileges. Yes, they are 'love, joy and peace, longsuffering, gentleness goodness, faith, meekness and temperance:' but so much more is the independence of a life in Christ. There can be consistent victory for those who will take it; freedom from vices and the guilt that holds the partaker bondage; assurance in times of need; and there is always a resting place in Him. A constant Friend. The blessings of salvation are endless. But, how many times our salvation depends upon the labors, visions and sacrifices of others.

Mar 8:34 "And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

Too often we take the love that we share amongst our fellow Christians for granted and keep it amongst ourselves. We must remember that while salvation may come to us ward free it has come at a great, great price; that being the blood of Christ. Now is not the time to be withdraw, shy or clique-ish. After all, He was not. The least that we could do is maintain the gift in ourselves and assert to others the blazon act of love which He exemplified on Calvary over 2000 years ago.

II Tim 4:5-8 "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing."