Faith Matters: October 21, 2009

In Jude's brief epistle, he urges Christians to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints." (Jude 1:3)

The Greek word translated as <I>contend</I> means to <I>strive, struggle</I> or <I>fight</I>. It involves painstaking effort to achieve a goal.

"The faith" is the whole body of truth that comprises the Christian faith, not just the basic truth of the gospel. There are all kinds of false teachings that can corrupt the Christian faith so we must be vigilant in order to preserve it.

Looking back on his Christian experience, the apostle Paul wrote, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

He insisted that the young pastor, Timothy, "correct those in opposition" (2 Timothy 2:25) and "preach the word; . . . reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction" because the time will come when "they will not endure sound doctrine" but will turn to false teachings. (2 Timothy 4:2-3)

False teaching causes divisions among Christians, but God's goal is that "we all attain to the unity of the faith." (Ephesians 4:13)

We must not shy away from the unpleasantness of controversy and conflict because, where there are no contenders for the faith, there can be no unity of the faith.

We must not settle for the false unity of peaceful coexistence, but strive for true unity, which is attained when we all adhere to "the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints."