((Contend for truth)) Jude 1:3 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. As we see this verse tells us to contend for the faith. Now lets take a look at what the word contend means!! CONTEND -1. To strive in opposition or against difficulties: armies contending for control of strategic territory; 2. To strive in controversy or DEBATE; DISPUTE. 3. To ARGUE EARNESTLY If one preaches another gospel and is misleading people you are evil to turn a blind eye and not FIGHT for the truth! Bible warns of cowards who run from the truth instead of fighting for the truth. Mathew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Wait a minute. In Jesus time people associated a cross with one thing and one thing alone: a cross was an instrument of death. He was saying that if youre not willing to have CONFLICT your not worthy of Him. I SAY THIS ALLLLL THE TIME BUT those that have really read the Bible (without rose colored glasses) - that Jesus created tensions, conflict, and discord because it was the right thing to do, not because it made anyone happy. In other words, Jesus was an activist for righteousness. people who actively teach serious error-especially doctrines that corrupt vital gospel truth are to be confronted and opposed. Their false ideas are to be refuted. They are to be called to repentance. And if they refuse the admonition and continue their assault against truth, we have a duty to denounce their error and do everything we can to thwart their efforts to spread it...
Posted on: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 13:45:13 +0000