Jude 1:3 “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
It has been said that Christianity is one generation from extinction. The faith that we have received is to be shared from one generation to the next generation. As well, Christianity has to be defended as it is under constant attack. The reason for the strong exhortation to contend earnestly for the faith in verse 3 is found in verse 4 as it says, “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
To contend earnestly for the faith, you will need to not just know what you believe but why you believe it. As Peter wrote in 1 Peter 3:15 we are to give a reason for the hope that is in us.
One might ask what are we to “earnestly contend for” regarding our faith. What are the crucial doctrines to defend? There are 5 essential doctrines that we must not compromise on. They are traditionally called the five fundamentals.
We believe in the Inspiration of Scripture.
We believe in the Virgin birth of Christ.
We believe in the Substitutionary death of Christ.
We believe in the Bodily resurrection of Christ.
We believe in the Second Coming of Christ.
These five fundamentals are non-negotiable. My discipler, Bill Crawford, told me there could be no compromise of these five doctrines. He told me that I was to stand for the faith!
In a world that hates Christianity and demands tolerance and acceptance of all beliefs and behaviors you, as a believer, must be firm on your beliefs. Without being arrogant or contentious you give solid reasons, defending, yes, contending for the faith that has been delivered to you!
Do you know what you believe about your Christian beliefs? Do you know why you believe what you believe? What areas need to be strengthened so that you can give solid reasons and defend what you believe?
Action item: Find your church’s doctrinal statement, then read, and review it.
Continue Strong defending the faith delivered to you,
And remember to DATE the Word