“..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)
Yesterday, we saw that Jude doesn’t just challenge his readers to just “contend for the faith” but to “earnestly contend for the faith.” The word “contend” means to struggle as in combat. What is the faith we are to earnestly contend for? It’s the basic doctrines, the basic truths of the faith.
Let me give you four ways we can contend for the faith.
FIRST—We Must STUDY the faith.
Before we can “earnestly contend for the faith” we must know what the faith is. We must know what the basic doctrines (or teachings) of the Bible are. The average believer spends very little time actually studying the Bible for themselves. That is why Paul says they are easily deceived like “children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness” (Eph. 4:14). If we are going to “earnestly contend for the faith” we must first, study the faith.
SECOND—We Must SHOW the faith.
One of the best defenses of the faith is a strong, consistent testimony in front of the world. It will be difficult to fight for the faith when you miss church half the time and live like the world. So, there is no better way to “earnestly contend for the faith” than when others see you constantly living and standing for what is right. People can argue what you say, but it’s hard for them to argue what you do! So, let people see the faith in your life.
THIRD—We Must SHARE the faith.
A big part of earnestly contending for the faith is sharing that faith with others. When I say “share the faith” I mean two things: 1) Living in front of others in such a way that they cannot deny what they see, but I also mean 2) Actually telling others about Jesus and what He has done in your life. Part of “the faith” we are contending for is that Jesus died for our sins; He was buried and rose again the third day. And if we will repent and put our faith in Him, He will forgive our sin and take us to heaven when we die. That is the gospel message and that is the faith we should be sharing.
FOURTH—We Must STAND for the faith.
Contending for the faith doesn’t mean that you have to be contentious. But we must be firm and not give in to those who want to water down what the Bible teaches.
Ask God to give you the courage, today, to “earnestly contend for the faith.” The world is looking for something that is real. Will they see that in you?