Contending For The Faith

If you ever want a powerful defense for the Christian Faith Jude is an excellent book to refer to. Defending the Faith is not something new. Jude teaches the importance of not compromising the Word of God! The Word of God is priceless! You cannot manipulate God nor His Word no matter who you are! There are a lot of worldly influences that from the very beginning have tried to twist the Bible and its teachings! Many have been deceived, this is still the case today! Many worldly ways, concepts and methods have been embraced and embedded into the organized church system that are not of God. This is why it is important to know God and know His Word; of Him you can be certain and sure!!!

Jude tells us to “Contend for the Faith!” What does this mean? Contend means to strive against difficulties, to be persistent and assert yourself. Faith means believe without seeing. “FAITH is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By Faith we understand that the universe was formed at GOD’S command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible…” Hebrews 11 The Bible gives us the real facts! It is was not   misconstrued circumstantial evidence. Many today attempt to use the Word to control others, justify their behavior and lifestyles but are really only promoting sin!

God is powerful as a matter of fact He is OMNIPOTENT meaning He is ALL POWER! He is SUPERIOR and SUPREME! Think about it with all the millions of organized church assemblies opened in the name of God, what is going on in this world should not be! It certainly is not because of GOD! It is because there are so many wolves in sheep clothing. “They are godless men who change the grace of God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord” Saints are supposed to be believers! Not followers of the world. But, followers of Jesus Christ!

Today too many want to be leaders that are served, rather than Servants of God! All too often you now find that many in the church instead follow the latest trends and adopt the ways of the world. No need to be jealous! Disengage from the messiness and focus on GOD! Make it your goal to share the WORD and truly live everyday to please GOD! Come what may in the end you will have VICTORY through JESUS CHRIST! ALL you will ever need you can discover in the LORD! “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it…” Psalm 24. Want what GOD wants for you! When you “STAND” on GOD’S WORD you never have to stand alone! “GOD WILL FIGHT YOUR BATTLES” Take some time and think about it? Who are you really following and where are they leading you to? Truly; “The LORD is my SHEPHERD!” & “HE leads me in the path of righteousness for HIS Namesake…”

We must TRUST GOD! When you know that there is a lot of false teaching going on what do you do? When you know that you have helped those that no one else would help, and they turn on you, what do you do? When you know that you have been mistreated and maligned and falsely accused what do you do? Do not have a pity party! PRAISE GOD!!! Know that you are in good company because this is what happened to Jesus! When you know that manipulation and deception is present you still must remain faithful to God and His Word! Don’t let anyone pull you so low that you hate them… Don’t settle or compromise your godly principles to get access or support by the majority… Christianity is really not a popularity contest or a social club. Yes we are supposed to fellowship and Worship & Praise God! But don’t get caught up in the gossip… Anything you say about someone when they are not present you should be willing to say to their face.

Everyone will have to answer to the Lord at some point! So get right with GOD! God knows what you have or have not done. Don’t become bitter! Become BETTER! Guard your heart! God is more powerful than what any man or woman can EVER do to you! You must draw closer to God and TRUST HIM! Seek Him above all else! God will give you a strong sound mind! He CAN KEEP you from falling! “Do not be conformed to this world. But TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind!” Your true security and significance can only be found in the LORD! “If GOD is for us who can be against us!” THANK YOU LORD! & PRAISE GOD!

The Word is often used to justify lifestyles and wrong behavior that are not sanctioned by God! Minimizing sin and embracing tolerance. Often justified under the guise of unconditional love! God never intended for Christianity to become a legalistic doctrinal concept of rules and regulations. The House of God is supposed to be the Pillar of TRUTH! It is written! Christ died so we could have an abundant spiritual life! As a matter of fact it was the religious leaders that conspired to discredit JESUS and secretly sought to destroy Him. How ironic they called Him evil. Does this sound familiar? The Bible is the inspired Word of God! “It is a lamp unto our feet and a Light unto our path…”

The gift of Eternal Life is one of the most precious gifts one can ever receive! Along with that gift comes the promise of His Holy Spirit. The Comforter and ultimate internal Teacher! Jude extends to us Mercy, Peace and Love in abundance! When Jesus ascended to heaven He promised that the Holy Spirit would come. Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure. He told them “Nevertheless I tell you the TRUTH. It is to your advantage that I go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin, because they do not believe in Me, of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, BUT you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of TRUTH, has come, He will guide you into All truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come…” JOHN 16

Jude known as the brother of Jesus Christ tells us that we have a duty to fight for GOD’S TRUTH! Not in a physical carnal way! Our weapons are not carnal! We must stay adorned with the spiritual armor! “PRAY also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the GOSPEL, for which I am an ambassador in chains. PRAY that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should” See Ephesians 6 Know that your body is a temple of GOD and GOD is everywhere that you are! Without doubt we are in the last days and the Word of God is being fulfilled! We need not be afraid but prayerful! It is important to persevere knowing that God is with you! Jude says:“But dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times, there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the men who divide you. Who follow mere natural instincts and DO NOT have the SPIRIT. But you, dear friends build yourself up in your most HOLY FAITH and pray in the HOLY SPIRIT. Keep yourselves up in God’s LOVE as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh…”

One must only watch the news, read the newspaper or search online to see that time is near! “Anything goes!” There was not only been an Economic Recession but a “SPIRITUAL RECESSION” as well! Just look around and see the extremity of things that are happening in and about the world… Many of our congregations are also allowing carnal worldly teachings. Bible study on many occasions has turned into group think and mind conditioning sessions to tell people who they should or should not associate with… This is a cultist mentality. No wonder there is so much havoc within the homes, schools, work places, entertainment events and communities. Ministry goes beyond the walls! Please do not just go to Church! Be the CHURCH! I always say; “Character is who you are when no one but GOD is watching!” We must not just read and talk about the Word. We must actually apply it within our daily lives. “Do not walk in the counsel of ungodly people…” Psalm 1 It is important to know that the LORD is with you wherever you go and one must constantly seek the direction of HIS HOLY SPIRIT! Healing & deliverance is truly possible! Quite often respect for God and His Word are all too often are laid aside; carnality takes the forefront because somebody says; “I’m human” The time of increased Apostasy is definitely here! Meaning the abandoning of Faith! “Without Faith it is impossible to please God!” We must encourage believers as well as non believers to get to know the LORD in an intimate up close and personal way. LORD HELP US!

Anyone can be subject to error therefore PRAY for SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT! This is why we all need His Holy Spirit to convict the heart of sin and point us to righteousness. What is righteousness? It is right living in the eyes of God! It is walking in the path of righteousness for HIS NAMESAKE! Sin is anything that separates us from God! Sin is missing the mark. The world says do what you feel is right and the majority votes to change the rules to suit its carnal desires. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah? God really will set you FREE! But not to do as you please. God has a better way. We must daily strive to delight ourselves in the WORD of GOD! Exercise your Faith in GOD as you PRAY in the HOLY SPIRIT! This means as you pray in power & strength you turn your focus to the LORD and seek HIS WILL above all others! Jude says:”Contend for the Faith that was once entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of GOD into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Lord as Sovereign and Lord” Jude 1 God wants to reveal to us daily HIS WILL & HIS WAY This is another reason why Jesus left us His Holy Spirit! “But dear friends build yourselves up in your most HOLY FAITH & PRAY in the HOLY SPIRIT. Keep yourselves in GOD’S LOVE as you wait for the mercy of our LORD JESUS CHRIST to bring you to ETERNAL LIFE…” Jude 1

Everyday, “To GOD be the GLORY!” The LORD wants us to, “be in the world, but not of the world!” Having an encounter with God regularly will bring you closer to Him! It will continually open your “spiritual eyes” This is also why we must contend for the Faith and stand firm! If you have grown slack in your commitment to God; He can speak renewal and strength to your heart! We must humbly and diligently pursue TRUTH! God can bring a plan and a purpose into your life like no other! “To HIM who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great JOY to the only GOD and SAVIOR be GLORY, MAJESTY, POWER and AUTHORITY, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD, before all ages, now and forevermore! HALLLELLLUJAH, SALVATION & GLORY HONOR & POWER to THE LORD our GOD!!!”