God has equipped us to contend for the faith by providing us with the tools and resources we need to defend Christian doctrine and the true Gospel message. In his letter, Jude calls on believers to build themselves up in faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and wait on the Lord with patience and expectation. By following these practices, Christians can strengthen their relationship with God and gain the knowledge and understanding of Scripture necessary to identify and refute false teachings. Additionally, contending for the faith involves living a life of obedient living, extending mercy to others, and supporting fellow believers.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Build yourself up in the faith | Read and study God's word |
Pray in the Holy Spirit | Pray for help in understanding God's truth |
Keep yourself in God's love | Live by faith and obedience to God |
Wait with hope | Keep the fire of hope alive |
Extend mercy to others | Show mercy to others |
What You'll Learn
Build yourself up in the faith
To build yourself up in the faith, you must first construct a foundation of faith. This is done by developing a relationship with the Lord through Jesus Christ and the Word of God. As you grow in your relationship with the Lord and gain spiritual truth, your faith will be strengthened.
Reading and studying the Word of God is essential to building yourself up in the faith. By doing so, you will know and understand God's Word and be equipped to live according to His teachings. The Bible says,
> "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
The Word of God has the power to teach, train, rebuke, and correct you, leading to righteousness and equipping you for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Additionally, prayer is a vital part of building yourself up in the faith. Praying in the power of the Holy Spirit helps you to understand God's truth and not be deceived by false teachings (Romans 8:26). It is also through prayer that you receive the strength and guidance to live a life that honours God.
Building yourself up in the faith is a continuous process of growth and transformation as you walk with the Lord and allow Him to work in your life. It requires a commitment to obedient living and a willingness to extend mercy to others, just as God has shown mercy to you.
Finally, surrounding yourself with other believers is crucial. The support and encouragement of fellow Christians can help you stay focused on your faith journey and provide accountability. Together, you can worship, serve, and grow in the Lord.
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Pray in the Holy Spirit
Praying in the Holy Spirit is a crucial aspect of contending for the faith, as it allows us to receive guidance from God and align our prayers with His will. Here are some insights on what it means to pray in the Holy Spirit and how we can cultivate this practice in our lives:
Understanding the Holy Spirit's Role in Prayer
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, alongside God the Father and God the Son (Jesus). While we often pray to God the Father or God the Son, the Holy Spirit also plays a vital role in our prayer life. The Holy Spirit is our helper and guide, sent by God to assist us in prayer. As Romans 8:26-27 states, "Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, praying on our behalf when we don't know how to pray or what to ask for.
Recognising the Difference Between Praying in the Flesh and Praying in the Spirit
It's important to distinguish between praying in the flesh and praying in the Spirit. Praying in the flesh relies solely on our human ability and effort, often feeling forced or lacking in authenticity. In contrast, praying in the Spirit is a collaborative act where we feel caught up in the way the Spirit carries the prayer forward. It is characterised by warmth, freedom, and a sense of communion with God. As we pray in the Spirit, we are aware of God's presence and are guided by Him, allowing our prayers to align with His will.
Practical Steps to Praying in the Holy Spirit
- Admit Your Inability: Start by confessing your dependence on the Holy Spirit. Recognise that prayer is a spiritual activity, and without the Holy Spirit, your efforts may fall short. Admit your dryness, difficulty, or dullness in prayer, and yield yourself to the Spirit's leading.
- Enjoy Living Communion with God: Through the Holy Spirit, you are brought into the presence of God. It's not a forced or rushed conversation but a living act of fellowship and communion. You don't need to rush to say anything; instead, savour the awareness of God's presence.
- Plead with Holy Boldness: The Holy Spirit gives boldness to your prayers, not in a demanding or presumptuous way, but with humble confidence. Plead the promises of God, knowing that He hears and understands your heart's desires.
A Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
And you shall renew the face of the earth.
O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,
Did instruct the hearts of the faithful,
Grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.
Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
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Keep yourself in God's love
Keeping yourself in God's love is a key part of contending for the faith. Here are some ways to do this:
Obey God
Staying in God's love means living by faith and obedience to God. Jesus said, "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love" (John 15:10). We obey God because He has captivated our hearts and won our allegiance (Romans 6:17). This obedience is shown through our loving others (1 John 3:11–24; 1 Peter 1:22).
Extend Mercy to Others
Jude understood that believers must extend mercy to others because they have received and experienced the mercy of the Lord. By extending mercy, believers demonstrate the ethic of the Kingdom of God and not the ways of the flesh. This illuminates Christ by showing the mercy of the Lord through their actions.
Wait on the Lord in Patience
The activity of contending for the faith is not a single moment but a lifelong journey. Therefore, believers need to develop patience. Patience allows us to wait upon the Lord's timing and rest in the promise of victory and His presence. Patience is fuelled by the character and work of the Lord, not by our own strength.
Wait on the Lord Expectantly in Hope
Jude knew that patience fuelled hope. When waiting on the Lord, believers deepen their hope because they rely on the promises of God. By trusting in the person, promise, and presence of the Lord, believers can be certain of victory and eternal life. These certainties open the way for hope to manifest, flourish, and develop.
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Wait with hope
Waiting with hope is an essential aspect of contending for the faith. Jude 1:21 says, "Wait with hope", and this means to wait expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.
Waiting with hope involves living every moment with the confident expectation that Jesus Christ may return at any moment. This hope is not a passive or idle waiting but an active anticipation that fuels our obedience to God and our love for others.
Waiting with hope is possible because of the certainty of victory and eternal life through Jesus Christ. We can rely on the promises of God, and this deepens the presence of hope in our lives. We know that Jesus Christ is coming again, and this hope empowers us to persevere and remain steadfast in our faith.
Waiting with hope is also about looking forward to the Lord's provision and presence in our lives. It is about cherishing the Lord's presence, trusting in His promises, and anticipating His return with joy and expectation.
As we wait with hope, we are reminded that our faith is not just about the future but also about the present. We are called to live out our faith in our everyday lives, contending for the practical purity of God's people. This involves battling our own baggage and temptations and nourishing relationships that honour God.
Waiting with hope is an essential aspect of our Christian walk, and it is deeply connected to our faith, obedience, and love for God and others. It is a reminder that our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ, and we can confidently expect His return.
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Extend mercy to others
God has equipped believers to contend for the faith by extending mercy to others. This means showing the same mercy to others that believers have received from the Lord.
Jude's letter to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem warns of false teachers spreading dangerous heresies, and urges believers to defend the truth of Jesus Christ. This defence is not just about theological matters, but also about the practical purity of God's people. Believers are called to live out their faith in their everyday lives, demonstrating the mercy of the Lord through their actions.
By extending mercy, believers demonstrate the ethics of the Kingdom of God, rather than the ways of the flesh. This is an important part of contending for the faith because it illuminates Christ and shows the genuine nature of mercy. Believers are called to be vigilant and fight for their faith, and extending mercy is a powerful way to do this.
Extending mercy to others is not just about helping those in need, but also about building relationships with other believers. Jude recognised that believers need one another for support and encouragement as they live for Christ and contend for the faith. By extending mercy, believers can foster a sense of community and unity, which is essential for contending for the faith together.
In summary, extending mercy to others is a crucial way that God has equipped believers to contend for the faith. It involves demonstrating the mercy of the Lord through actions, illuminating Christ, and building relationships with other believers to encourage and support one another in the faith.
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