Fighting for the Faith

For the last few days we have been focusing on faith. The Bible says that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things unseen." The Bible says that "without faith, it is impossible to please God." Faith is the rock Jesus spoke of when He said, "upon this rock will I build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail." I John 5:4 says, "and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." Faith is important. I want to continue the thought on faith again today by declaring to you that it is time for us to fight for the faith.
The Book of Jude tells us that there are those who have come into the church that are out to destroy or change the faith that we have. We must notice that times have changed. As we enter the holiday season, many of us will notice the change in the approach that stores take to Christmas. Instead of wishing you a "merry Christmas", you will get "happy holidays" or "merry x-mas." The thought that we need to be more socially acceptable has not only entered commercialism, but also the church. Gone are the days of singing "There is Power in the Blood" or preaching of the crucifixion of Christ. We are now hearing songs and sermons that do not challenge us to give up our sinful ways, but rather encourage us to just be happy and enjoy life. It is time to fight for the faith. Jude says that we as Christians must "remember the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul declared to the Corinthian church that he would not preach anything to them but "Christ and Him crucified." When we change the message, we change the outcome. If we are going to overcome this present age, then we need the blood of Jesus. If we are going to combat the forces of darkness and push back the Devil, then we need to be armed with the Word of God and be full of the Holy Ghost. I urge you today as Jude did so many years ago, "contend for the faith." God bless