Contending For The Faith

"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all 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 our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord" (Jude 3-4).

As we consider our faith and the foundation for our faith it is necessary to re-evaluate our position and understanding for there have been men and women throughout history that have wormed their way into True Christianity and perverted the "...faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3b; KJV).  We trust that our leadership will examine various teachings in the light of Scripture and protect us with the Truth of God's Word.  That may or may not be happening for many in leadership have bought into a "New World" type of thinking; therefore the burden becomes ours to bear.  As it should be for we are commanded, "Prove (this is in the imperative in Greek and is a command) all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21; KJV).

How do we "test all things?"  Follow Paul's example; "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you" (2 Thessalonians 3:1; KJV).  It is letting God's word speak to us by our reading of the Scriptures and meditating upon them.  Personal Bible reading cannot be substituted by devotionals, Christian literature, movies, or even sermons.  As good as those may be, it is our reading of the Scriptures where we get enlightenment and a way to measure any teaching or doctrine presented as "truth."  Do you know who is teaching you?  Who really is the seminar speaker and what is their doctrinal position? 

How important is this examination of the credentials for those that write books, hold seminars, etc.?  Life eternal is at stake and when truth is undermined by false teaching, then the world cannot see Jesus as the Savior.  What the world sees is just another religion.  I believe any honest Christian wants to dispense truth to others and wants truth for themselves.  It is found in the pages of the Bible.

This is how we consider our faith, we examine what we believe in the light of the Scriptures, without our preconditioned beliefs.  Read the Bible and believe what it says for it is the inerrant Word of God.  Let the Bible speak for itself and take time to reflect and allow Holy Spirit to guide you, not into a "New Revelation" but into the Truth.  Any questions for passages you do not fully understand, write them down, find a true Bible believing elder, pastor, person to aid you in your search for understanding.  "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thous shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (1 Timothy 3:16). That is how important it is to examine our faith in the light of Scripture.

I challenge you to this:  For one month read only the Bible, no other devotional or literature, just the Bible.  Even if all you can read at one sitting is a verse, do it, if you can do more, do it.  Read slowly, take time to read and understand what the Bible is saying; then reflect upon what you have just read.  Pray that God will instruct you and show you the truth.  Secondly, take notes on the sermon and then digest the sermon by looking up all references given by the pastor/speaker.  I can guarantee that you will be changed, based upon my own experience.  You will fall in love with Scripture as you have never done before.  The Word of God is Living, it gives hope, confidence, assurance, and life. 

Daily Prayer:

Father Your Word is Truth and I am committed to just reading Your Word.  Your promise that Holy Spirit will lead us gives me the impetus that I need to follow through.  I want most of all to know You better, to live by Your principles as found in Your Word.  Thank You for giving me Your written Word of Truth.    Amen