Jude 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."
What does it mean to contend for the faith? Should we be ready to give an answer for our faith? (I Peter 3:15) Yes! Should we learn against falsehood? (Ephesians 4:14) Yes! But, there is more to it than these.
II Timothy 4:17 says Paul fought the fight for faith. He cautioned the youthful preacher against those who would change doctrine. He lived the faith daily. Timothy needed to do the same.
Keeping the faith is a daily fight. Do not allow yourself to become discouraged. There are many, even in the church, who mistakenly do things in error.
I will give you but a small example. We are to teach with our singing (Collossians 3:16). Whenever we teach, it must be the truth. Therefore, we are responsible to ensure the songs we sing are free of doctrinal error. There is a popular religious song, with which I am sure most of you are familiar, "Just A Little Talk With Jesus."
This song states that nothing more than talking with Jesus saves you from being an alien sinner. The Bible demands much more than this. So, the song is false. Singing it can cause people to be lost. Many miss the error in it.
You may not be a good speaker. Yet, if someone leads this song, you can be a good teacher by remaining silent.
Live the faith. Live by faith. Don't go along with the flow, afraid to be different. Contend for the faith with every fiber of your being, in everything you do.
Your Servant In Christ,
Marvin Howard
My friends, there are many different and confusing teachings (doctrines) out there. Some say, "Faith only saves you." I invite you to look at James 2:24, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and NOT by faith only." (emph mine, MRH)
The Bible mentions six different things we must "DO" to be saved. Proving any one of them in no way disproves another. I will list them here, and ask you to check them whether they are so.
1. You must first hear in order to be saved: Romans 10:17
2. You must believe Jesus is the Son of God in order to be saved: Romans 10:17 Luke 8:13 John 1:12 John 8:24 John 20:31
3. You must repent in order to be saved: Luke 13:3,5 Acts 3:19
4. You must confess that Jesus is Christ in order to be saved: Luke 12:8 Romans 10:9 I John 4:15 Acts 8:37
5. You must be baptized (not rhontized) in order to be saved: John 3:5 Mark 16:16 Acts 2:38 I Peter 3:21 Galatians 3:27
6. You must remain faithful unto death in order to be saved: Revelation 2:10 I Timothy 4:16 I John 2:24,25
My friend will you not consider the way of God rather than the way of man? If I can assist you in finding someone to help you do this, please write me. It would be an honor.
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My Internet Study Group
Strong's Concordance (with Greek and Hebrew Lexicon)
Entrance Into My Archived Sermons Vault
"Are You Really Sure Of Your Eternal Salvation?"
I believe this is an excellent resource for Bible Study, "The Preacher."
"Are You Worshipping God In Spirit And In Truth?"
Companion site to the one above. Also excellent, "The Preacher."
Can The Church Win Against The World?