Today’s Reading, 2 John, 3 John & Jude
Focal Scripture: Jude 1:3 “Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all.”
There are some tho gas in life that are worth fighting for to make sure they are protected. As a husband one of those things is my wife and my son. It’s not only my duty but my responsibility to make sure they are protected and provided for in their life. This does not just apply finically but spiritually and emotionally as well. Sometimes I do well in this area and other times I really struggle to be the man God has called me to in this life. I must contend for them amongst other things I will encounter.
In today’s reading Jude the half brother of James is making it clear that he wanted to write about the shared faith they have together. Instead needed to write to the fellow believers to contend for the faith. what were they contended against false teachers and wayward leaders. Jude is wanting the believers to be passionate about who Christ is and contend against the evil ones even against the great deceiver Satan. Contending for the faith is needed and not for the faint of heart.
So what is the application for today? It’s that believers must contend for the faith and know that others are fighting against us in this journey. In my time of ministry I have had several people actually tell me that I take the Bible too seriously. These are professing believers who claim to love Jesus but fought against the word being the priority. I contend for the faith and don’t back down. The primacy of the Bible is a non negotiable in ministry. Because of this several people desired to see me fired.
I tell you this story because contending for the faith is not glamorous. It required conviction and determination. It means you must be willing to be misunderstood and even talked about negatively. Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing even when others want you to bend. I even had a church leader one time tell me that I took the procedure for protection to serious. Asked me to be more flexible. I didn’t compromise.
So today or next week you might have to contend for the faith. When you do, donut out of reverence for the Lord not because you are trying to make a point. Contend for truth and keep your character even when others around you do not. Never forget that God is in our corner. He will either help us in our earthly fight or teach us in our struggle. Either way we win because our faith is rewarded when we contend for the faith.
Let us be an example and show others that standing for what is true and good is worth it in the long run.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Revelation 1-3
