Contend

Matt Richards

Jude 1:3-4 Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary and was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to and exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the holy people of God]. For certain men have crept in stealthily [gaining entrance secretly by a side door]. Their doom was predicted long ago, ungodly (impious, profane) persons who pervert the grace (the spiritual blessing and favor) of our God into lawlessness and wantonness and immorality, and disown and deny our sole Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

You know there is a battle. God will build His church, but the devil is trying to destroy it.

How does he do that? He does it from within. He tries to erode the belief in the bible. Belief for example to say we can be like the world, that we have to be relevant.

'Some people have infiltrated our ranks (our Scriptures warned us this would happen), who beneath their pious skin are shameless scoundrels. Their design is to replace the sheer grace of our God with sheer license.' (MSG)

No preaching against sin. No repentence, no fear of God. People preaching you can live how you want and go to heaven. (Hypergrace)

There is a contending of the gospel, a contending of the faith. And now even a contending for church in person meetings.

Everything that you have been brought up with, everything that has a biblical base is bring contended.

Time for the church to contend. Contend in prayer. Contend in meeting together. Contend in preaching the Gospel. Contend for miracles. Contend for the ancient paths, conviction of sin, fear of the Lord, repentence, baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Contend for our families, contend for fathers and mothers, contend for marriage. contend for our schools, contend for our neighbourhood and city, contend for our country .

If there ever was a time to contend it's now.

Prayer:

Father firgive us for being passive. Forgive us for not standing for the truth of Your Word. Help me to contend for the true Gospel, for the Bible. Help me to contend for my family and my world today in Jesus' name amen.