Contending For The Faith

       "I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith..."
                                                           Jude, vs. 3




Now, more than ever, we need true contenders for the faith. Our culture has redefined what faith is and there are many who are deceived about what the Bible says, as well as how to apply it’s precepts to their lives. The Gospel has both been watered down and perverted because of the growing number of people who only want to hear what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3). And, unfortunately, there will always be those who teach what is popular to the masses so as to personally benefit from these emerging trends.

When Jesus warned us that there would come a day where there were many false teachers and prophets that would rise up and mislead many (Matthew 24:11), I doubt that many could fully comprehend just how prevalent and intertwined the teachings would become even within what is considered the mainstream church. Today we could look at almost every mainstream denomination and find teachings that are antithetical to the Word of God. And, we can also find people who passionately defend these false teachings.

As our society continues to move quickly away from the Bible and the teachings of Jesus, we can begin to see that the blessings and protection of God over our nation evaporating before our eyes. On several recent public events, we watched as emotionalism and anger took precedence over truth and decency. Ironically, those who stand on the side of truth and decency are being ostracized for their supposed lack of compassion and actually using their intellect over emotions to ascertain what is true and good. In these instances, good is being viewed as evil, and evil is being viewed as good.

More and more, I see that the true number of believers is smaller and smaller. In 2015, a poll was conducted where 75% of Americans identified themselves as Christians. The issue I have with this number is that we could not be as divided as we are on moral issues, such as abortion, if this were a true and accurate percentage. Additionally, there are many more moral issues that separate us and the people who are being persecuted are the ones who are standing with the Biblical precepts and not the ones who are against them. This means that many people are deceived about their own spiritual status.

The Bible clearly warns us that the church in the last days would be characterized by apostasy. Jesus told us that in these times that "many would fall away" (Matthew 24:10) and that "most peoples love would grow cold" (Matthew 24:12). Both of these things usually happen to believers gradually, which increases the chances of self-deception. In fact, there are many people who attend church on Sunday, meaning that they "Hold to a form of godliness, and yet deny the power [of the Gospel]" (2 Timothy 3:5).

William Booth, who founded the Salvation Army was very zealous for God and had a great passion for lost souls. He was also a visionary. On the eve of the 20th Century, he prophesied that by the end of the 20th century that much of the church would be preaching:
                                   *Christianity without Christ
                                   *Forgiveness without repentance
                                   *Salvation without regeneration
                                   *Heaven without hell
And this is exactly where we are today.

As true and genuine believers, what are we to do in the midst of such a hostile and vitriolic culture? I would submit to you that James had the answer when he said, "let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger: for the anger of man worth not the righteousness of God. Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the Word, which is able to save your souls. Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves" (James 1:19-22).

If we are doers of the Word, we are passionate about helping others to be doers of the Word as well. I am not talking about a works-based Gospel that enables us to have salvation. We are solely saved by grace by what Jesus accomplished on the cross for us. However, after we are saved, we have to become more and more diligent to obey God's precepts, especially when we see the escalation of corruption within our society.

According to the Cambridge dictionary, the word contend means "to compete in order to win something or achieve a position of leadership; to state as the truth; to claim".  According to Merriam-Webster, the word contend  means "to strive or vie in contest or rivalry against difficulties; to strive in debate".  All of these definitions involve actively and intentionally fighting for something. In this instance, it means fighting for the Truth of the Gospel and the importance of prioritizing the Lordship of Christ.

All true children of God will be kept by His power and we will not ultimately fall away (Jude vs. 1-2;24-25). And yet, even in this, there is no room for passivity. Contending for the faith is still necessary and important when we realize the sobering times in which we live and how many other people truly need to hear the truth. Each persons' battle to defend the faith will be unique and personal to them.

Contending for the faith should always be done in love, with respect and gentleness. In order to enhance our credibility, we must be mindful of the potential issues others may be facing and be compassionate of those, while never forfeiting the truth. Anger and insensitivity will never bear good fruit. And, as James says, this will never produce righteousness in our lives.

More than anything, I want to be a contender for the faith and I do not want to become lukewarm. The major challenges that we face today is that the opposition is increasing and we must continue to grow in zeal and passion for God in order to combat it. We cannot give in to what is temporarily easier or we will find that we are moving further away from the Lord, instead of closer. While it is impossible to stay the same in our relationship with Him, we must either be moving in one direction or the other.

My prayer today is that the true remnant of Christ will become stronger, more strategic contenders for the faith and that we will help others to do the same. This is what God is calling us to do, and I pray that we will heed His call. May we extend His grace to all that are in our lives, and may He be glorified above all else!


"If Christ is not all to you, He is nothing to you. He will never go into partnership as part Savior of men. If He be something, He must be everything, and if He be not everything, He is nothing to you."
                                                              Charles H. Spurgeon