Friday, May 10, 2013

Contending For the Faith 5/10/2013

"Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints."  Jude 3-4

What is it in life that is worth fighting for to you?  Though physical fighting may immediately come to mind, think more along the line of struggling, defending or taking a stand.  Nearly all of us would come to the aid of a family member, an innocent or a victim.  Some will do so for a principle or a way of life.  Others still would do so for their rights under the law or for what they consider to be "right."  In fact, passions can run so highly about these and other subjects that physical fighting and even killing can result.

Beloved, as Christians, our highest priority is the conviction we have for the truth of the gospel and the salvation to which it connects us.  It literally is what distinguishes us as Christians.  There are many things about which we are told to "turn the other cheek" or to "why not suffer wrong" (to be done to us); however, we are never told to let our faith slip.  On the contrary we are repeatedly warned against it.  Our faith is to be established, grown, matured and defended at all cost.  Though the context of Jude's writing is to defend against false teachers in particular, we must be willing to fight hard against anything that would threaten our individual faith and the faith.  Our salvation depends on it.

Committed,

Lee

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