Contending for the Faith

Jude instructs us to “contend for the faith.” This urgent appeal is as true today as ever in history. In verse 11, Jude gives three types of attacks or spiritual tactics that challenge true faith and ministry.

1. The “way of Cain.” Righteous Able brought the true spiritual service before God…a blood sacrifice. Cain brought the labor of his hands, the sweat of his brow, and God rejected Cain’s efforts. Many today make the same error of Cain thinking that ministry rises or falls by the visible efforts of ministers, not realizing that the minister’s priority call is to “rightly divide the Word of truth.” May don’t see the minister’s God given priority as “work” and thereby will attempt to force human standards over spiritual ministry. Most folks will never understand a minister’s God given mandate to study and pray as being work. (Genesis 4)

2. “The error of Balaam.” Balaam, a true prophet of God, could not overtly call a curse upon Israel. For a monetary price, however, Balaam counseled the evil king Balak to have his young women seduce the sons of Israel. The counsel of accepting immorality was a successful means of invoking God’s judgment. The “error of Balaam” is alive and well all around us in this day in which we live. There is a great spiritual effort to have the church accept that which is sinful before God. (Numbers 22)

3. “Korah’s Rebellion.” This is seen where Korah and his associates mounted an effort to exert control over Moses and his leadership for Israel. Korah was jealous that he did not have the same spiritual anointing as did Moses. The rebellion is when people try to exert control over God’s ministers, and God’s ministry. (Numbers 16)

In this day of widespread apostasy and worldly expression against the proclamation of God’s truth, may I say that we covet your prayers? We need your prayers…like we need air to live, we need your prayers.

Until Every Knee Bows, Philippians 2:5-11

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