A Prayer for Strength to Defend the Faith
By Emily Rose Massey
“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 1:3, NASB).
The “Prince of Preachers,” Charles Spurgeon, once said, “Controversy is never a very happy element for the child of God: he would far rather be in communion with his Lord than be engaged in defending the faith, or in attacking error. But the soldier of Christ knows no choice in his Master's commands. He may feel it to be better for him to lie upon the bed of rest than to stand covered with the sweat and dust of battle; but, as a soldier, he has learned to obey, and the rule of his obedience is not his personal comfort, but his Lord's absolute command. The servant of God must endeavor to maintain all the truth which his Master has revealed to him, because, as a Christian soldier, this is part of his duty. But while he does so, he accords to others the liberty which he himself enjoys.”
In the epistle of Jude, he exhorts believers to be defenders of the faith, to hold fast to our message as Christians, the glorious gospel.
“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 1:3, NASB).
Engaging in Christian apologetics in today's culture is desperately needed when defending the faith, even within the Church and especially in America because error abounds. We must stand for truth and become defenders of the Christian faith that has stood the test of time for thousands of years, even when wolves come in to devour the flock (Matthew 7).
It isn't about a single person being right; It is about learning how to rightly divide God’s Word, which is perfect because God is perfect. God’s Word is absolute truth. If we are God’s children, we will want to grow in that truth, boldly proclaim it, and protect it from error, even if it makes us uncomfortable or even experience pain and rejection at times. The gospel is offensive. Truth can cut deep and point out things in us that we don't want to see, but if we want to be conformed to the image of Christ, we must believe and follow truth.
We should not have to apologize for our zeal for God's Word and His glorious gospel because without those precious gifts from the Lord to us, we would not be able to revel in the benefits of the good news or share it with others so that their fellowship with their Heavenly Father is restored.
As God’s children, we have been transformed by God's love and mercy. We can live forgiven and free because of that. We should long to share that love with others by sharing truth found in the Bible, whether they have never heard the gospel, or they have strayed from its pure message and have begun following a false gospel.
We should never feel ashamed to share the hope of our message as believers, turning from our life in sin to turning to Christ alone who offers us new eternal life in Him that was purchased for us by His own blood. In Christ, we are forgiven. In Christ, we are God’s precious children. This is the faith that was once for all handed down to the saints of old, and we must continue to pass it down to each generation and protect it from those who would want to twist its message.
Do you have a desire to share truth with a loved one who may be caught up in the deception of a false gospel or on your social media platform to reach others for the gospel? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you boldness and ask Him for a greater desire for His Word. It is so important to become a diligent student of God’s Word so that when the opportunity presents itself, you are able to give a response for the hope that you have inside of you (1 Peter 3:15). Stand firm and march on in truth, dear solider of the Lord!
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father,
I know Your Word warns us that in the Last Days to be careful not to be deceived. False teachers, false prophets, and false gospels abound. Please equip me with discernment to be able to spot counterfeit messages that undermine the beauty of the finished work of the cross. I’m asking for strength and boldness to stand firm upon Your Holy written Word and be able to proclaim it and defend it against those who twist it. I am grateful to not only be called Your child but a solider in Your great army. I pray that You would send others in the faith that I can link arms with to be able to fight the good fight and run the race that You have set before me. The days are growing darker, but that just means the light of Your truth and goodness will just shine brighter and brighter. Help me to continue to be a carrier of that light wherever I go.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Anastasiia Stiahailo
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