Contend for the Faith
Jude 1:3 “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.”
Contend for the faith. What does that statement bring to mind? Fighting? Arguing? A conflict that gets heated? Dictionary.com (1) says that the word ‘contend’ means to struggle in opposition or to assert and maintain earnestly. However you look at it, if we are called to contend for the faith, it means we will face opposition and challenges that will try and persuade us otherwise. (Remember, the word ‘faith’ means persuaded). Jude is telling us to contend for the faith because he knows, he KNOWS, that there is an ongoing spiritual battle between believers and the powers of darkness that is going to continue to get worse. Let’s not kid ourselves, friends, our greatest enemies are unseen. Our faith is always being attacked...and even when we don’t sense it, the battle is likely raging around us. Our sons and daughters MUST be ready to contend for the faith, because if it’s not already here, oppression and persecution are coming.. If we identify with Christ, we will partake of His suffering. 1 Peter 2:20 “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.”
So many believers around the world know very personally what this means. They suffer persecution and loss, they are beaten, imprisoned, ridiculed and mistreated for the name of Christ. Yet they stand. Why? Because the name of Jesus means more to them than life itself. They are not so comfortable here that they hesitate to give up what they have for what Jesus promises them in glory. They have extraordinary courage in Christ. Are we ready? Could we withstand the pressure?
How much does Jesus mean to us? Enough to say we’re willing to give up everything for His name?
Contend for the faith. Today, and every day, we need to pray that our sons’ and daughters’ spiritual strength and faithfulness is strong and unwavering. Pray that when they are confronted with pressure, or worse, with persecution, that they rise up and contend for the faith, confident that He who began a good work in them will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6) Today is a day to be honest with ourselves… the last days are near, we can’t deny it. The powers of darkness are becoming more visible and more active. Believers are getting powerfully distracted by things that do not matter, arguments that only serve to divide and selfish demands that dishonor the gospel. We need to pray that we all contend for the faith with a passion and commitment that will carry us through until we stand before the Lord. Let us stand, unwaveringly.
Pray without ceasing.
Dictionary.com. Contend definition & meaning. Dictionary.com. Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/contend.