Contending For The Faith
Writer Author Rita Sue Hanks
Christian Article
:
Faith
- Fiction No
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
Contending for the faith! What is contending, and how does one contend for the faith which is delivered unto the saints?
CONTEND..
1...To strive in opposition or against difficulties; struggle: armies contending for control of strategic territory; had to contend with long lines at the airport.
2. To compete, as in a race
When we contend for something we do all we know how to do to reach a goal we have in sight. It is an active determination to gain what we have set our heart on. As entering a contest to win a prize.
In the matter of our most holy faith, we find that apprehending the promises and rewards of our inheritance in Christ requires a firm commitment to fight a good fight of faith. To be a victor in a fight requires passionate training in the skills necessary. This principle is understood and adhered to be all serious athletes. The principles of faith building can be compared to the basic principles of body building or weight lifting.
We can learn much about contending by studying the instructions from expert weight trainers:
Body Building and Weight Lifting Tips
Source; Online article of instruction
"Weight-training is used to develop the size, shape, and symmetry of all the superficial muscles in the body so that they are larger, more conspicuous, and better defined. Muscle building is not easy. If it was, everyone you know would be 250lbs of pure muscle. Muscle building takes time and effort, and if you aren't willing to dedicate your time and put in extreme amounts of effort, then you are wasting your time. You have to PUSH ! you have to lift heavy-beyond your comfort zone-You must fully understand the amount of dedication that is needed! If you aren't consistent, then you are wasting your time. You must stay dedicated and stay motivated. The results won't come easy, and they won't come very fast either, so stay dedicated, and stay consistent, and do all 3 steps correctly, and the muscle building results WILL come!"
The serious body builder sets his heart on seeing the final results he dreams of, and delights in the challenges he faces as he contends to see his dreams fulfilled. It becomes his life's passion. He is diligent to follow the established routines set down for his success, and looks forward with elation to every opportunity to become more skillful and thereby be strengthened in power to excel.
Our faith muscles must also be exercised regularly and diligently. As young believers our faith muscles are very weak from disuse. We need to begin with small feats of faith, believing God for little things and then gradually learning to fight for the greater things as our faith muscles are developed. As an example of what I am saying let's consider the normal practice of the body builder. He begins with smaller, lighter weights and gradually, as his muscles are developed, he progresses into larger and heavier weights. Each small victory of strength accomplished encourages the athlete to go on to more difficult, yet more rewarding challenges and victories which lie ahead. By his steadfast consistency, he is gradually empowered to become a champion.
We are taught by scripture that there is an ever-increasing process to pout into practice in building up our faith muscles....
.
2 Peter 1:5-7
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
We can see that our training requires a building up of our inner man. the work begins in the heart and gradually becomes visible in the outer man. The whole heart devoted to God's work in us is imperative for producing healthy faith. These firm instructions must be learned and take priority over everything in our lives. Faith body building requires a line upon line, precept upon precept faith building fight to keep the word of God and to obtain spiritual strength. The reward is also progressive. Little by little we are rewarded with an ever increasing measure of the indwelling Christ and his love. The greater the measure of Christ in us, the sweeter and more constant are our victories for our own lives and the lives of our loved ones.
As we are growing, we are learning that God loves us passionately and seeks our best. We learn to trust that he is always for us and never against us. As we learn how to co-operate with his Holy Spirit, he will guide us and teach us how to win our battles.
We learn that scripture states clearly that without faith we cannot please him. Therefore, we set our whole hearts to being established in the exercise of producing the endurance needed to finish the fight we have begun.
Faithful endurance and perseverance is the fruit of faith and love which gives us entrance into the family of God. His plan for us is that we start as babes in Christ and gradually grow into maturity; a new creation in Christ Jesus, strong in him and in the power of his might.
The mandated process defined:
2 Peter 1:3-9
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us! Through his Holy Spirit he guides, guards and trains us up in the righteousness of faith. He is our ever present help in any trouble. Even on our bad days, he loves us and continues to encourage us to keep persevering on into the victory we seek.
Psalm 23
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.
3He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoints my head with oil; my cup runs over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
God Bless you!
Rita Hanks
ritahanks@sbcglobal.net
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