Contending for the Faith

These are the last of the last days. We are rapidly approaching the return of the Lord. We, the Church, should be extremely excited about such an event. However, the Church, if indeed excited, is not ready to meet the Lord.

Besides, much has to be fulfilled before the coming of the Lord. Now it is not timing that is the most important factor in this matter, but more the events that will take place between now and then.

Isaiah 46:9-10

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

The Father has already made known unto us the end of all things, for He has declared it from the beginning. His Word will stand. He is able and will do according as He has willed.

Isaiah 46:11

11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

The Lord is able to stir up the hearts of those who are far from Him and His people to war against His people. He will use whom He will to execute His judgments upon the world and/or His people.

Isaiah 46:12-13

12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:

13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

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 delivered saints. was once unto the

Contend – 1. To struggle, as in battle: FIGHT.

2. To compete, as in a race: VIE.

3. To strive in debate:

DISPUTE.—vt. maintain or assert. Webster’s Dictionary

To Those the Lord has called to come out of the world or from the ways of the world will have an opportunity to hear the truth. It is a fearful thing for the Lord to make such a provision and it be rejected, not only by the world but by the people of God as well.

IT IS TIME TO COME OUT OF SIN. Time is winding down. The way of the world is deceiving the saints of God. The lusts and ambitions of the world have enticed the saints and caused them to turn aside from the truths that were delivered unto them. Now is the season to turn back to the way of holiness. Now is the time to repent and make our paths straight.

The truth is being placed in the path of the saints of God. It is going to be up to you to embrace it. To continue to reject the way of righteousness is to cast a snare for your very soul.

I Peter 1:13-17

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

This is the commandment of the Lord.

1. The Church is to be a holy body of baptized believers. We must

destroy the doctrine of imperfection. It is not true that no one can live holy. Were it so, the Lord would not demand it of the Church.

We are the children of God and were created the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

Lust – 1. Lawless desire of the fleshy mind eager to be expressed in the body. (James 1:13-15).

2. A strong desire of any kind; wantonness; a craving for things that are unlawful; the desire for things which are obtained by breaking the laws of God.

3. Lust is conceived in the mind and is the offspring of the imagination. Lust is not confined to the sexual pleasures enjoyed by the world, but it includes the unlawful want for things. (Unlawful in the sense that the method by which they are obtained breaks the laws of God.)

4. A diseased condition of the mind. Banks’ Expository

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

Ephesians 4:21-23

22 That concerning conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Truth = The Word of God

St. John 17:17

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

ye put off the former

2. We are to walk in the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord has evaded the household of faith for many years now. However, I see the workings of the Holy Ghost moving to bring that fear back into the Church. Because the saints of God have become so promiscuous, the mindset of the church has equated God the Father with this promiscuity. Thus, the Church is worshipping the God of its imagination instead of the God of the scriptures.

3. Paul declared that in the last days there would be a tremendous falling away. This is the falling away of the saints from the standard of righteousness, which was once delivered unto the saints of old.

Things have changed. The way of holiness is a thing of the past in most of the houses of faith. The mind and mode of the Church seem to be that of forcing the Father to accept their ways of life, a lifestyle void of commitment to doing those things that please God.

Nevertheless, God is not slack in any of His promises. He has declared that He will judge the deeds of the flesh without respect of persons.

Leviticus 20:7

7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

I Peter 1:15-16

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

II Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is

longsuffering us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.