Contend for the Faith

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 1:3

To contend means “to strive or vie in contest or rivalry or against difficulties.” Some synonyms being “maintain or assert.”

If someone is going to contend that they are a good basketball player, they will play the absolute best game that they can. When it is time for the Superbowl in the NFL, all of the teams contend to make the playoffs. The two teams that are left are going to try to play the best game that they can in order to become the Superbowl champions. They strive to play the hardest that they can.

When someone enters some kind of baked good into a county fair contest, they try to bake the absolute best thing that they can. 

When the Bible says to “contend for the faith,” it means that we are to stand up for the Christian faith. We are supposed to be strong warriors for Christ. When we see things going on in “churches” that are completely contrary to the Word of God, then we need to contend for the faith and what God’s Word teaches and condemn those actions.

Women preaching for example; how many “churches” today allow this to continue to happen? More and more this is becoming a common sight. What does the Bible teach about this? It expressly forbids this to happen, yet these places turn a blind eye to these scriptures and refuse to obey them. We need to stand up against these things when we see it happen. And watch what happens when you do. I know and have read about several people that have had to separate from family and friends over this issue. 

The same goes for same sex marriage. Who did God make in the Beginning? Adam and Eve. Man and woman. Throughout the Bible, homosexuality is condemned, but now what are some “churches” starting to do? They allow it to happen. They don’t condemn it, but instead even marry them! Is the Bible even present in these places? What are they preaching from? Everyone who attends these services is either ignorant of these being forbidden in the Bible, or they are choosing to disregard the parts of the Bible that they don’t want to do.

If you see this happening in your church, you need to stand up for the truth of the Word. You need to contend for your faith. Those out in the world are ignorant of the Holy Scriptures, but in the church we have commands that need to be obeyed. We need to hold fast in our faith.

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” Hebrews 10:23

When someone “holds or stands fast” in something, it means to firmly remain in in the same position or keep the same opinion. 

Paul wrote to Timothy and other churches to stand fast and continue in the things that they had read and learned. 

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” Hebrews 4:14

“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:13

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;” 2 Timothy 3:14

“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” Philippians 4:1

Stand fast in the Lord, so that others will see your faith and be strengthened. Contend for your faith.

In Christ,

Andrew