Contending For The Faith
(Living Holy in a Godless World)
Jude 1:3
Bishop David Ibeleme
Perilous are the times we live in – 2 Tim. 3:1ff; 1 Tim. 4:1-2.
Paul in his writings to Timothy his son indicated that the days they were living in were indeed perilous and laden with godlessness.
He clearly emphasized to him that Christians were involved in warfare whether they were aware of it or not – 1 Tim. 1:18ff.
He spoke about fighting the good fight of faith – 1 Tim. 6:12ff.
These sentiments were also enunciated in his letter to the Philippians where he urged them to literally work out their own salvation – Phil. 2:11ff.
He acknowledged the difficulties they faced living in a godless and hostile world and still encouraged them not to compromise their stand – Phil. 2:15-16.
We certainly live in a similar world today, facing the same challenges which I dare say are even more sophisticated.
This is because of the increase in knowledge prophesied by Daniel – Dn. 12:4.
The question is how can we deal with these pressures and continue to please God amidst such difficulties?
For our answer we turn to the book of Jude, a book written by one of the brothers of our Lord Jesus Christ – Matt. 13:55; Mk. 6:3.
The Setting in the Book of Jude;
The book was written at a time of great apostasy, when many false teachers were infiltrating the church and turning many of the faithful away.
Jude used seemingly harsh language to describe and speak against the false teachers.
He also challenged the believers to do everything in their power not only to weather the storm but also to help others do the same and to even reach out to non Christians.
Christianity was described here as “the faith” hence the admonition to earnestly contend for it – Jude 1:3.
We are definitely living in the same setting today.
What not to do;
1. Trivialize your Christianity – v3.
What we have is very precious.
Though it is common to all, it must never be “commonized”.
Hence it is worth fighting for.
2. Compromise your stand that Jesus is the only way – v4; Jn. 14:6ff.
We live in a world of political correctness.
It is the acceptable norm to view Jesus as one of the ways rather than as the only way to the father.
We must never compromise our stand that He is the (not a) way.
3. Walk in unbelief and doubt – v5; Heb. 11:6.
Physical evidence and circumstance will seek to prevail over us.
We must reject this and stay in faith in and to God.
Our faith is the victory that overcomes the world – 1 Jn. 5:4.
4. Dishonour spiritual things or beings – v8.
Irrespective of the state of spiritual things or beings we must be careful to maintain respect for them.
This is the way to stay conscious of the realm of the spirit.
You cannot cast the devil to hell or abyss – Mk. 5:1-14; Matt. 8:28-34.
5. Judge things in the flesh – v10; 2 Cor. 5:16.
Stay in the spirit.
Don’t be moved by the state of things in the physical or in the flesh.
We walk by faith not by sight – 2 Cor. 5:7.
Staying in the spirit makes you more godly since God judges things in the in the spirit not in the flesh like men do.
6. Not tithe or give offerings faithfully – v11; Gen. 4.
Cain’s problem was not giving an acceptable offering.
An acceptable offering begins with the tithe.
No man who doesn’t tithe can truly please God – Mal. 3:7-10.
By tithing we put God first and demonstrate our faith in His financial system.
7. Love money – v11; Matt.6:24ff; 1 Tim. 6:10, 17.
Balaam’s problem was his love for money.
You cannot serve God and mammon.
Neither are we to submit God’s gifts to money or sell it for it – Acts 8:18-24.
Remember that the love of money is the root of ALL (not some) EVIL.
8. Disrespect authority and do things for vain glory – v11; Num. 16.
One of the easier ways heresy manifests, is in rebellion to godly authority.
No talent or gifting of yours makes you an alternative to the godly authority over your life.
Disrespect for godly authority never leads to progress – Heb. 13:17.
Always be humble under God’s set order – 1 Cor. 12:28; 1 Pet. 5.
9. Murmur or Complain – v16.
Murmuring is a manifestation of lack, weakness and or inability.
It is also a demonstration of envy end jealously.
God is big enough to take care of us all so there is no need to envy one another.
Faith in God’s ability to provide will keep you from murmuring.
10. Operate in eye-service or as men pleasers – v16.
We are to show ourselves approved unto God not man – 2 Tim. 2:15.
Though we’re to provide for things that are honest in the sight of all man, it is not our job to force anyone to see that which we have provided – Rom. 12:17.
Neither are we to do things primarily for men to see.
Results of Disobedience
Poverty / “Unproductivity” / Unfruitfulness – v12ff.
Neither Cain nor Balaam became richer by their actions.
Cloud without rain is extremely frustrating.
The only way there will be rain is if “stuff” has gone up to form the cloud.
Only this type of cloud which is full of rain can empty itself in prosperity and abundance upon our lives – Ecc. 11:3.
Divine Judgements – v6-7, 15.
God’s judgements are guaranteed to people who do not uphold His righteous precepts.
It is a terrible thing to be judged by God.
Korah, his household and a host of thousands were buried alive because of their rebellion – Num. 16.
High Class Carnality – v18ff.
Carnality deludes people into thinking that they are spiritual when they are not.
Balance in Christendom is one of the keys to avoiding carnality.
Always go for expedience over legality.
All things are lawful but not all things are expedient – 1 Cor. 6:12.
What to do? – Jude 1:20-25.
How do we deal with the perilous times? What do we do in a godless society?
Follow these simple steps;
1. Pray in the spirit – v20.
This will help sharpen your spirit and help maintain your spirituality.
It will also help you deal with issues your carnal mind cannot understand.
No believer who regularly prays in tongues would be powerless.
2. Walk in love – v21.
This is the law of the New Testament – Jn. 13:34ff; 1 Jn. 3:22-23.
Nothing must be allowed to soil our love walk – 1 Cor. 13:1-8.
3. Embrace God’s mercy – v21; Rom. 9:16; Ecc.9:11; Heb. 4:15ff.
The Christian walk or race is not by our holiness or self righteousness.
It takes the grace of God – 1 Cor. 15:10.
Always remember God’s mercy is available to you whenever you fall or miss it.
4. Maintain a sensitive heart – v22.
Learn to stay in the spirit.
Stay sensitive to the voice of God.
Everyone doing the same thing do not necessarily have the same motives or the same intentions.
There is a big difference between a hypocrite and someone is immature or under satanic bondage.
Spiritual sensitivity will help you tell the difference.
5. Evangelize with reverence and passion – v23; 2 Cor. 5:17-20.
Evangelism must never be done with a judgemental attitude.
Neither should it be done without hatred for sin.
Reverence for God and a passion to see His will done will help one maintain the right attitude.
6. Be conscious of divine enablement – v24; Ps. 46:1; Is. 41:10.
You cannot succeed as a Christian without divine enablement.
Christianity is a spiritual thing so requires spiritual ability to do the job.
Always rely on god’s power to put you over – Zech. 4:6.
7. Praise and honour God consistently – v25; Heb. 13:15ff; 2:3-4.
Praising God is one of the ways for us to stay humble.
It helps us continually depend on Him as our source.
It also launches us into the “courts of God” where He does wonders – Ps. 100.
Copyright Ó 2007 Bishop David Ibeleme
Victorious Faith Ministries
P.O. Box 4378, St. Ann’s, Port of Spain.
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
Tel : +1(868) 625-1449 / 623-6863
E-mail: vfmwo@hotmail.com, info@vfmwo.org, Website : vfmwo.org
