Exploring The True Meaning Of Faith And Contentment

In his letter to believers in Jerusalem, Jude urges them to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3). He explains that he initially intended to write a letter of encouragement about their shared salvation, but instead felt compelled to urge them to fight for their faith. Jude is concerned that the Christian message of the gospel is under attack from false teachers spreading dangerous heresies. He exhorts his readers to defend the truth of Jesus Christ and His teachings against those who seek to undermine and erode it. This involves both spiritual growth and a practical commitment to living according to God's word in our everyday lives.

The faith is under attack from false teachers and their heresies

The Christian faith is under constant attack from false teachers and heresies. In the Bible, 2 Peter 2:1 warns:

> "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves."

The Apostle Peter, a bond-servant of the Lord, was not ignorant of the schemes of these false teachers. He stated in his second epistle that just as false prophets existed among the Old Covenant people of God, so false teachers are "among you". These false teachers will "secretly bring in destructive heresies", striking at the very heart of the Christian gospel, "denying the Master", the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Peter warns the churches in Asia Minor of the profound danger of these false teachers and their heresies. To alter the message is to invite destruction upon the Church. The Apostle Paul expresses a similar warning in Galatians 1:8-9:

> "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received; let him be accursed."

These false teachers, according to Paul and Peter, are "accursed children", forsaking the "right way" of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

So, how do we recognise false teachers and their teachings? The best way is to be knowledgeable in the truth and well-grounded in Scripture. We must be familiar with the real thing to recognise a counterfeit. As our knowledge of God's Word grows, so will our ability to reject false teaching.

False teachers and their teachings can be identified by the following characteristics:

• They often prefer to operate "secretly", behind the scenes.
• Their teachings contain "destructive heresies", which tend to tear down and divide, rather than unite and edify.
• They may minimise or question the person, ministry, or stature of the Lord Jesus, bringing His sovereignty and Lordship into doubt.
• They are often greedy for money, exploiting their followers with fabricated stories.
• Their teachings are not consistently biblical, containing small amounts of destructive, heretical content slipped in among accepted doctrine.
• They may feature "myths", rather than the plain meaning of Scripture.
• Their doctrines tend to cause controversy, dissension, and conflict, rather than peace and gentleness.
• They underemphasise or ignore important aspects of "God's work", such as prayer, evangelism, and caring for people.
• They do not make Jesus Christ central to their message, minimising or omitting His redemption through death, burial, and resurrection.
• They are conceited and self-centred, focusing on themselves rather than on God.
• They redirect attention to controversial ideas and words, losing sight of the Gospel.
• The fruit of their ministry is negative, producing envy, strife, friction, and other "works of the flesh" rather than the fruit of the Spirit.
• They erroneously teach that "godliness is a means to financial gain", focusing on serving God as a stepping stone to wealth.

Jude, in his epistle to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, urges believers to "contend for the faith", writing:

> "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 is concerned that "the faith" is under attack from false teachers spreading dangerous heresies. He wants believers to vigorously defend the truth of Jesus Christ and His teachings, as this faith was "once for all" entrusted to God's people.

In conclusion, the Christian faith is indeed under attack from false teachers and their heresies. We must be vigilant and well-grounded in Scripture to recognise and reject these false teachings. By contending for the faith, we can defend the truth of the Gospel and protect ourselves and others from spiritual deception and destruction.

The need to fight against false teachings

Jude's letter to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem warns of false teachers spreading dangerous heresies and urges believers to fight against false teachings and defend the faith.

The Christian message of the gospel, or "the faith", is under attack from false teachers, and Jude exhorts his readers to contend for the message of the gospel against those seeking to erode it. False teachers had infiltrated the church, and Jude instructs the church on how to respond, by holding fast to the truth of the gospel. This is a consistent concern for the early church fathers, and the New Testament is filled with warnings about false teachers.

False teachers are convincing, and Jude writes that they are "ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord". They sanction immoral behaviour and reject the deity of Christ.

Jude's use of the word "contend" in Greek is a strengthened form of the word "agonize", and it speaks of diligent and hard work. It is a very personal type of battle, and believers are called to fight for the faith, not just church leaders. This is not just about lofty theological matters but also the practical purity of God's people and how they live their everyday lives.

Believers are instructed to build themselves up in the faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep themselves in God's love, and wait with hope for the Lord's return. This involves spiritual development, studying God's word, and living by faith and obedience to God.

The importance of spiritual development and understanding God's word

Spiritual development and understanding God's word are crucial aspects of contending for the faith. This concept, introduced by Jude in his letter to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, emphasizes the need to actively fight for and defend the Christian gospel, which was under attack from false teachers spreading dangerous heresies.

Jude's use of the word "contend" in Greek, conveys a sense of intense struggle and hard work, akin to an athlete striving for victory. This highlights the importance of spiritual development as a foundational aspect of contending for the faith. It is not enough to passively hold beliefs; one must actively strive to grow and deepen their understanding of God's word.

One of the key ways to achieve this is by reading and studying the Bible. Through God's inspired Word, we can gain knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 emphasizes the power of Scripture to teach, train, rebuke, and correct us, equipping us for every good work. By building a strong spiritual foundation, we can better recognize and refute false teachings and firmly stand for the truth of the gospel.

Additionally, prayer plays a vital role in spiritual development. Praying under the guidance of the Holy Spirit helps us understand God's truth and protects us from deception. It keeps us connected to God and aligns our hearts with His will.

Furthermore, living a life that reflects our faith is essential. Our everyday actions and attitudes should demonstrate our commitment to God's teachings. This includes obeying God's commands, loving others, and living a holy life. By doing so, we remain in God's love and become living testimonies of our faith.

Spiritual development is a continuous process of growth and transformation. It requires dedication, discipline, and a willingness to seek God wholeheartedly. As we deepen our understanding of God's word, we can more effectively contend for the faith, standing firm against any threats to the gospel and sharing its truth with others.

In summary, spiritual development is vital to contending for the faith. By studying God's word, praying in the Holy Spirit, and living a life that reflects our beliefs, we can better understand, defend, and share the gospel message. This spiritual growth equips us to face challenges, remain steadfast in our faith, and glorify God in all we do.

The role of prayer in receiving guidance from the Holy Spirit

To contend for the faith is to fight strenuously for the defence of the Christian message of the gospel, or "the faith". This is because the faith is under attack from false teachers spreading dangerous heresies.

Prayer is a means to receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Ghost brings comfort, peace, and direction to our lives in both temporal and spiritual matters.

Prayer for Guidance from the Holy Spirit

"Lord, I pray you would move the Spirit more boldly in my life. I know that any sin can grieve and diminish the voice of the Spirit, and I pray against the temptation to sin. Help me crave your presence more than I crave sin. Help me grow in the fruit of the Spirit and so walk closer with Yourself. I pray for guidance from your Spirit- let your will and promises always be a meditation of my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen." - Kenny Luck

Prayer for Guidance and Protection

"O Lord, our redemption. Be our protection. Direct our minds by your gracious presence. Watch over our paths and guide us with your love through the hidden snares of life. Fix our hearts on you as we go forward, and following in faith, arrive at your goal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." - Mozarabic Liturgy

Prayer for Light and Guidance

"O Lord, Enlighten our hearts by your holy radiance, Jesus Christ, that we may serve you without fear in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. In him may we survive the storms of this world, and by his guidance reach the country of eternal brightness; through your mercy, O blessed Lord, you live and govern all things, now and forever. Amen." - Leonine Sacramentary, 5th century

Prayer for Strength and Guidance

"Lord God Almighty, shaper and ruler of all creatures, we pray for your great mercy, that you guide us towards you, for we cannot find our way. And guide us to your will, to the need of our soul, for we cannot do it ourselves. And make our mind steadfast in your will and aware of our soul’s need. Strengthen us against the temptations of the devil, and remove from us all lust and every unrighteousness, and shield us against our foes, seen and unseen. Teach us to do your will, that we may inwardly love you before all things with a pure mind. For you are our maker and our redeemer, our help, our comfort, our trust, our hope; praise and glory be to you now and forever. Amen." - Alfred the Great, 9th century

Prayer for Spiritual Light

"Almighty God, in you there is no darkness at all. Give us your eternal light. When we cannot see the way before us, may we continue to put our trust in you, that under your guidance and protection we may be kept from falling this day, and finally, by your mercy, enter into our rest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

A Prayer for Guidance When Life is Challenging

"Lord, I’m here today with open hands and an open heart, ready to depend on you to help me through the day, and all it will bring my way. Help me be like Nehemiah, help me come to you for guidance, strength, provision, and protection. As I face tough choices and hard situations, help me remember my belovedness, help me remember that I am Your child, and Your representative to the world around me. Help me live today in a way that brings honor to Your holy name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen." - Charles Stanley

Maintaining purity in everyday lives

Maintaining purity in everyday life is a crucial aspect of contending for the faith. Here are some ways to achieve this:

Building Up Your Faith

Study God's Word, meditate on it, and seek to grow spiritually. Attend Bible studies, hear others' testimonies, and share your own faith journey with fellow believers. This will help you understand and firmly establish yourself in the faith.

Praying in the Holy Spirit

Praying under the guidance of the Holy Spirit helps us comprehend God's truth and protects us from being deceived by false teachers. Praying in the Spirit also aligns our hearts with God's love and enables us to obey His commands.

Keeping Yourself in God's Love

Obey God's commands and live a life of faith and obedience. Discover ways to serve others in your congregation and cultivate genuine love for them. Grumbling, fault-finding, arrogance, and flattery are all misalignments with the spirit of the gospel and can damage our witness for Christ.

Waiting with Hope

Maintain a confident expectation of Jesus Christ's return and live every moment in anticipation of His second coming. This hope should fuel your Christian relationships and influence how you interact with others.

Showing Mercy to Others

Extend mercy to those who doubt, reaching out to them with the truth of the gospel. At the same time, be cautious of false teachers and those who twist God's grace to justify immoral behaviour or deny the lordship of Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, contending for the faith involves both our personal relationship with God and our interactions with others. By building ourselves up in the faith, praying in the Spirit, keeping God's love, waiting with hope, and showing mercy, we can maintain purity in our everyday lives and effectively contend for the faith.

Frequently asked questions