Was it a military march to stir the soul or a quickly composed song to help keep children together on an outing?  Sabine Baring-Gould wanted a good marching hymn for children on a hike and Onward, Christian Soldiers came into existence.  While we may not know the success of keeping the children together, we know that the hymn stirs us and should inspire us to carry the message of the Gospel to "all the world".  Should we envision ourselves as "marching as to war?"  Ephesians 6:11 tells us, "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."  Further, Paul tells us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil.  We are given the description of the armor that equips us for spiritual warfare.  Let us put on that armor daily.

Article taken from Living Stories of Famous Hymns by Ernest K. Emurian. Copyright © 1955 by Baker Book House Company. Used by permission of Baker Book House Company.