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“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” (Jude 1:3, NIV)

Jude encourages all followers of Jesus — past, present, and future — to “contend for the faith.”

I do not believe it to be accidental that he chose the positive, as in contending for; instead of the negative, as in contending against. The truth is this: We can go either way, but as it concerns the faith we hold dear let us be forward looking, optimistic, and proactive.

To “contend” means to strive for a particular goal or objective. We contend for the faith when we make choices that are consistent with our profession, and embrace those choices with confidence and joy. – Luther

Tagged contending for the faith, the book of Jude

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“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16, NIV)

Resist the temptation to allow others to redefine the hallmarks of Christian discipleship. The original definitions of who we are, and what we are to do, are found in God’s word and nowhere else.

Peter reminds the Christians that are scattered throughout what, today, is Asia minor that while they may reside in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, and other locales with cultures and customs that may be peculiar or even hostile; above all, they are to reflect “in all you do” the holiness of the God who called them.

Generally, the word “holiness” has been redefined to mean something that is less than desirable because it distinguishes one from the masses. However, the disciple should never let his or her choices be determined by the crowd or the circumstance — only by the Christ within us. This does not come to us naturally. It comes with practice, patience, and the grace that God provides.

It is through this simple act of obedience by God’s scattered people that those who know not God catch their first glimpse of what it means to “of God.” We need not be anything more. We dare not be anything less. The next step is the Holy Spirit’s to make.

All humanity echoes the words of St. Augustine of Hippo who wrote: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” – Luther

Tagged Christian discipleship, holiness, St Augustine of HIppo, the book of 1 Peter

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And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52, NASB)

Bethlehem, the manger, the heavenly host, the visit of the wise men, and all of the other wondrous features of our Lord’s arrival were a great beginning; but it didn’t end there. The baby Jesus became the boy Jesus, who became the adolescent Jesus, who became the fully-grown man.

In our lives, there are many wondrous beginnings: The birth of a child; a wedding; a new lease on life after a serious illness; a new day. It is only the first step. Advancing through each step that follows is as expected as night following day.

We grow in stature because we take nourishment over time. We grow in wisdom by the same principle, but instead of food, it is obedience to the word of God that increases wisdom and divine favor. – Luther

Tagged Christmas, growth, spiritual maturity, the book of Luke, the Incarnation