Contend


3 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)


Mayan calendar notwithstanding, I want to wish you and yours a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! I love this time of year as I bethink of Christmas' past..., playing Santa Claus, being woke up at 5 or 6 in the morning by the kids and running down the stairs to see what Santa had brought. Good Memories. At any rate here's wishing you a wonderful Christmas season.


My message today is more of a story being played out in the life of one of my friends. It seems that some years ago this person decided to put a Christian symbol in their front yard. Without any fanfare or attraction they displayed this statement of faith and nothing was ever said. During this time this person checked with their neighbors to see if anyone had an objection to the symbol. None of the neighbors had any reservations and some even expressed that they liked it being that visible.It became a part of the neighborhood landscape. But, it seems that recently some complaints have been lodged with the local neighborhood management desiring the symbol(a cross) to be removed from the yard. My friend had a couple of letters from the Homeowners Association requesting they remove it. The letters met with refusal and just within the past few days another letter was received from the Association President. Now the following is what my friend told me this past Tuesday evening. He said that he had decided to temporarily remove the cross to keep peace. He was literally pulling the cross out of the hole he had dug and when he had pulled it up, he said a voice spoke to his heart, saying "Don't do that." " Put it back." He did a double take and said he heard that voice again speak the same words. So, he put the cross back in the ground and there it stands today. He told me that he felt like he was making a stand. Not arrogantly but in obedience. When I left off talking to him the above verse crossed my mind. Understand that this verse in context is talking about contending against people who are introducing heretical doctrines in the church. But, it has application here I believe. That word 'contend ' means to strive or stand against. Now, I don't know where this path my friend has chosen is going to take him; but, I suspect that as the days grow ever darker in our nation and world that we who name the name of Jesus may be called upon to"make a stand." If you read on in the Book of Jude you will come across these verses:


17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,
18 that they were saying to you, " In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts."
19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Jude 1:17-21 (NASB)


While we still enjoy a relative amount of freedom we are well advised to seek God's Word as it has some instruction as well as encouragement for these times.The Word tells us to "remember the words spoken beforehand" we have those words preserved in the scriptures. It also instructs us to "build yourselves up." How? By "praying in the Holy Spirit." I'll close with this. When all is said and done. When all the doctrinal statements have been made, and the opinions and teachings have been pored over, the BEST teaching that we can learn is just this..Read your Bible and Pray. Amen? I'll keep you informed of what happens in my friend's front yard. He covets your prayers.


24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,
25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Jude 1:24-25 (NASB)


God Bless