Contend for the faith

Contend for the faith

‘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) .Jude 1:3.

The book of Jude primarily aims to make believers aware against false teachings as well as false teachers and erroneous teachings.

These days misleading teachings are on the rise. Teachings are glorifying people more than Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:17 clearly says, “…..let him who boasts and glories, boast and glory in the LORD (Jer 9:24).

2 Corinthians 10:18 says, “For (it is) not (the man) who praises and commends himself who is approved and accepted, but (it is the person) whom the Lord Accredits and commends.

It’s not important at all how well a preacher speaks. What is more important, is, how anointed and filled with the Holy Spirit were they…. while witnessing? Was it done under the leadership of the Holy Spirit? Or they shared their own thoughts?

False teachings are ungodly, misleading, disobedient and look down on anything that is beyond their understanding. It deviates from the truth of the Gospel. False teachers brag and gather for themselves rather than the purpose of the Gospel. They are like ‘clouds without water’ or ‘trees without fruits”. They are ruled mostly by emotions and passion, brag about themselves and flattery finds its way in manipulating.

Real witnessing is “when you cease to be, and His Divine Spirit overpowers you to say things He needs to be said, to see things He wants you to see and to do things He needs to be done. “

The word of God transforms your inner being, changes your character from grace to grace and gives us an inheritance in the Spirit, until we are conformed.

These warnings were given way too long because God knew these confusions will arise, and people who truly believe in Christ will also meet the kinds who will try to mislead them from Christ. Epistles of Paul the apostle, clear these confusions, by making it simple.

British Evangelist Smith Wigglesworth was very influential in the early pentecostalism. In one of his books on faith, (and I totally agree with what he wrote) at one point, he says he never read any book on earth apart from Bible. But the man was such a powerful Holy Spirit led evangelist. Known for unconventional ways, God used him mightily for healing countless. And his passion was Christ. His foundation was Christ. His faith made way for healing. His obedience worked wonders in the lives of those who came in contact with him.

There are many articles, books, blogs and songs written based on Bible. Most of them are good and educative. But I feel it’s always good to go to the real source ….the Holy Bible. It ‘literally’ has all the answers. If we make it a habit of reading the word page to page, I do not think there will be any place for doubts in a believer’s life. He/she will be able to differentiate between false teachings and the true word of God, very easily.

Paul the Apostle addressed to the church in Corinth and Christians in the surrounding province of Achaea, in modern day Greece, in this particular portion with a similar concern….

2 Corinthians 11:2-4, “For I am zealous for you with a Godly eagerness and a divine jealousy, for I have betrothed you to one Husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ (Hos. 2:19, 20). But (now) I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds maybe corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ (Gen. 3:4) . For (you seem readily to endure it) if a man comes and preaches another Jesus than the One we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the (Spirit) you (once) received or a different gospel from the one you (then)received and welcomes, you tolerate (all that) well enough!”

He was warning them beforehand, not to be corrupted from wholehearted devotion to CHRIST, not to get distracted by false teachings.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 say, “For such men are false apostles (spurious, counterfeits), deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles (special messengers) of Christ (The Messiah). And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. So it is not surprising if his servants also masquerade as ministers of righteousness. (But ) their end will correspond with their deeds.”

Our lives should express truth (in all things). Ephesians 4:15 says, “……Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, (even) Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Ephesians 4:14 says, “…..we may no longer be children, tossed (like ships) to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, (the prey of) the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, (gamblers, engaged) in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead.”

As I mentioned earlier, the real source is always the “Holy Bible”. To know Truth, to distinguish between true and false teachings, it is wise to meditate on the real manna. To simplify it further…..Smith Wigglesworth wrote it this way, so let me share it with you…….

God’s Word is:
Supernatural in origin
Eternal in duration
Inexpressible in valor
Infinite in scope
Regenerative in power
Infallible in authority
Universal in application
Inspired in totality.
So we should Read it through
Write it down
Pray it in
Work it out and pass it on
Contend for the faith

(“”The writer has been a Cover page Model for various fashion magazines , anchored various musical shows for youth Channels and a (short film) filmmaker for Discovery Channel. Currently busy writing her own book””)

/ My blog

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