Called To Contend

Jude 1:3,4 “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In these last days, there’s a cry from every corner for unity, fellowship, lack of friction, and the raising of divisive issues. It all sounds so good, but there’s only one problem – it is not Biblical! The proponents for this ‘let’s all just get along’ philosophy has NO idea what true unity involves. In fact, they don’t know anything, if their knowledge is as shallow as their ambition. Let’s examine what the Scripture tells us about this matter of contending and our involvement in it.

I. Contending Involves a Birth – unto you of the common salvation A. Only born again believers are commanded to contend!
B. Only born again believers can contend!
C. Only born again believers care enough to contend!

II. Contending Involves a Burden – it was needful for me to write unto you
A. There is opposition to the gospel – do you care?
B. There are deniers of the faith – do you care?
C. There are heresies and false religions sending millions to hell – do you care?

III. Contending Involves a Battle – that ye should earnestly contend
A. Contending is a command; it is your duty!
B. Contending is not casual or complacent – it must be done earnestly!
C. Contending is a conflict with people and ideas and philosophies – it often causes pain

IV. Contending Involves a Brotherhood - for the faith once delivered unto the saints
A. There were others before us that contended and were martyred for their faith.
B. This faith that was delivered was entrusted to us to preserve and propagate.
C. We are obligated to uphold for our children what our forefathers passed down.

V. Contending Involves a Betrayal – certain men crept in unawares A. They creep in unawares – you can’t tell who they are when they first arrive
B. They have an agenda from Satan – who were before ordained
C. They show their colors by condemning Bible believers – to this condemnation
D. They are ungodly men – men with no fear of God
E. They pervert the grace of God
F. They deny God and His Word.

What are you going to do about it? Are you going to defend and answer the opposition? Or are you going to sit idly by while the devils ‘certain men’ continue to creep in and condemn and pervert the faith that was once delivered unto the saints???