Was there ever a time in your life where you had knowledge of a specific piece of information that you knew to be the truth, but no one else would believe it? For example, here in Minnesota animals such as a cougar are quite rare to see, and as a result if someone calls in to report a cougar sighting it is for the most part often disregarded as a case of mistaken identity, and will often be considered a lynx or bobcat sighting, which are far more common here. There may be some who would like to disagree but the truth still remains that there are indeed cougars here, and it can be backed up with videos taken from trail cameras in the area.
This kind of action is called “contending” for something, also meaning “to maintain or assert.” Well, as Christians we must contend for the faith as it has been taught to us from the holy scriptures.
Jude 1:3 “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.”
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.
The practice of allowing women to preach for example; how many “churches” today allow this to continue to happen? Far too many, as this is more and more becoming a common sight. What does the Bible teach about this? It expressly forbids this to happen, yet these places choose to turn a blind eye to the scriptures and refuse to obey them. As Christians if we see this happen we must stand up and contend for the faith, and condemn it for the disobedience that it is.
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.
1 Corinthians 16:13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”
When someone “holds or stands fast” in something, it means to firmly remain 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.
Hebrews 4:14 “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.”
2 Timothy 1:13 “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:1 “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
2 Timothy 3:14 “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;”
The time has come to stand up for your faith. Stand up and contend for the truth that is found in God’s Word, and let others see your faith.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 