Thursday, February 10, 2011

Earnestly contending for the faith - HOW & WHY?

Jude mentioned in verse 3 of his epistle that saints (beloved) are to "earnestly contend for THE FAITH which was once delivered unto the saints"...

He also mentioned a COMMON SALVATION that was shared by saints, as opposed to a personal salvation experience that varies with the individual. This suggests that in "calling upon the name of the Lord"; all do so in the same way. This is seen in the salvation experiences of those in the 1st century, recorded for us in the book of Acts.

In relation to THE FAITH, notice it was "once for all time delivered...". This tells us that there are no modern-day revelations as some claim. There are no on-going revelations or new prophecies that are in any way contrary to what HAS BEEN revealed in the scriptures...it was ONCE FOR ALL TIME DELIVERED. Truth for those in the 1st century is truth for us today. We share a common faith, a common salvation as a result of this.

Pastors were commanded to hold "..fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers...whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." (Titus 1:9-11)
Pastors are to "rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in THE FAITH"! (Titus. 1:13).

There are some things saints are to do to ensure that the faith is EARNESTLY CONTENDED FOR:

1. continue in the faith - Acts 14:22
2. be established in the faith - Acts 16:5; Col. 2:7
3. stand fast in the faith - 1 Cor. 16:13
4. be sound in the faith - Titus 1:13
5. keep the faith - 2 Timothy 4:6-8
6. live by the faith - Galatians 2:20
7. hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience - 1 Timothy 3:9
8. resist the devil steadfast in the faith - 1 Peter 5:9

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." - Titus. 2:11-14 

RDB
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