Tag Archives: contending for the faith

September 8
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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV)

In 17 words, Paul provides the Christian disciple with a challenge for every day, and a charge for each life.  From the end of this short verse to its beginning — phrase by phrase — let us look at what Paul has said.

“Do everything in love”: Treat others as you would have others treat you. Live to please our heavenly Father. 

“Be strong”: If the Holy Spirit of God is your strength, you are strong indeed. His strength never flags. His power never fails. Rely on this strength.

“Be courageous”: Going against “conventional wisdom” with God’s wisdom; swimming upstream; standing alone in one’s convictions; or choosing the “narrow gate” requires moral, physical, and spiritual courage. Choose it — then be it!

“Stand firm in the faith”: Conventional wisdom, enlightened self-interest, and fashion are “currents and tides.” Faith is the disciple’s anchor, and the word of God is the anchor’s chain. 

“Be on your guard”: Thieves do not steal things that have no value. Because you are a person of inestimable worth and value, there is a bounty on your life. Therefore, guard your heart, your thoughts, your motives, and your affections against theft and/or misuse by unworthy agents.  – Luther 

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May 21
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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)

In this letter, Jude encourages the disciples of Jesus to “contend for the faith,” because there are individuals and circumstances that would render powerless the Good News — except for the existence of persons willing to make a good stand for the truth.  

It is worth noting that Jude says that he would have preferred to write about our common salvation; but, instead, he is compelled to urge them to stand for our historic faith.

As disciples of Jesus, it is sometimes necessary to take-up the dirty, hard, thankless duty of standing for the whole truth, when half-truths are the fashion of the day. Yet, even in such uncomfortable circumstances, remember to stand in the strength of the Lord; to maintain a posture of grace and, when possible, good humor.  

There is no higher compliment for a disciple of Jesus than he or she be known as a contender for the historical faith on which we stand, and for the truth.  – Luther

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December 30
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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

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