CONTEND FOR THE FAITH!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2023.

SUBJECT: CONTEND FOR THE FAITH!

Memory verse: “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you, exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3.)

READ: Philippians 1 vs 27 - 29:

1:27: Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

1:28: and not in any way terrified by your adversaries: which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.

1:29: For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.

INTIMATION: 

It is required of true believers to agonize in defense of their faith; fighting with everything they have in them for the faith entrusted to them as a gift to guard and cherish, and protecting the faith against assault or subversion. They should contend earnestly for the faith that has once and for all been delivered to them with godly passion. Godly passion is having goals, and energy to accomplish those goals. Such is the thinking of, and lifestyle of the disciples of Jesus. All believers are by extension evangelists. And the function of an evangelist among the lost is laborious. Anyone who is lazy and timid cannot carry out the struggles of warfare in which a disciple is constantly engaged. 

Some think that Christianity is a passive religion that advocates waiting for God to act. On the contrary, we must have an active faith, training, working hard, sacrificing, and doing what we know is right. Christian service, like athletics, requires training and sacrifice. Our discipline and obedience largely define whether or not we will be contributors or merely spectators. How would other believers rank your contributing role on Christ’s team? 

To “contend earnestly for the faith” today we should emphasize the following ideas:

(1) We can contend for the faith by knowing the truth. We do that by studying the Bible. Don’t ever imagine that pastors and teachers of the Word like seminary professors hold a monopoly of this task. Without study, you cannot know what to defend. You must understand the basic doctrines of the faith so that you can recognize false doctrines and prevent wrong teaching from undermining your faith and hurting others.

(2) We can contend for the faith as we grow personally with Christ. While knowledge is important, your personal relationship and fellowship with Christ is absolutely essential. Through that relationship and fellowship, God has given you the Holy Spirit as a teacher. Unattached to God, you may know everything but understand nothing. Attached to Christ, you are given spiritual understanding as well as experiences with Christ that underscore your faith. Remember the word of Christ, “...for without me you can do nothing.” (John 15 vs 5.)

(3) We can contend for the faith by remaining unified on the essentials. While Christians can certainly disagree on many non-essentials (music in worship, methods of worship, methods of outreach), we must always defend the truth of the basics of our faith as found in God’s Word which are the essentials. Any additions to or subtractions from the Word, expressly or impliedly must be resisted.  

Jesus warned, “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book; And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the Book of life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22 vs 18 - 19.)

This warning is given to those who might purposefully distort the message in the Bible. Moses gave a similar warning in Deuteronomy 4 vs 1 - 4. We, too, must handle the Bible with care and great respect so that we do not distort its message, even unintentionally. We should be quick to put its principles into practice in our lives. No human explanation or interpretation of God’s Word should be elevated to the same authority as the text itself. 

Contending for the faith might involve suffering. And suffering for Christ is a privilege, though we do not by nature consider suffering a privilege. Yet when we suffer, if we faithfully represent Christ, our message and example affect us and others for good. Suffering has these additional benefits: (1) It takes our eyes off earthly comforts; (2) it weeds out superficial believers; (3) it strengthens the faith of those who endure; (4) it serves as an example to others who may follow us. When we suffer for our faith, it doesn’t mean that we have done something wrong. In fact, the opposite is often true; it verifies that we have been faithful. Use suffering to build your character. Don’t resent it or let it tear you down. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of total commitment and absolute faith in You, and give me the grace to earnestly contend for the faith, ready for whatever the defense of the faith may bring my way, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!