Jude wrote, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (v. 3). The duty of a disciple of Christ is not only to believe the Bible, but to live it and contend for it! That means a worthy servant of the Lord will dispute error. Sadly, many don’t do this today.
God calls believers in Jesus to be advocates of the cause, not passive observers. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations …” (Matthew 28:19-20). Advocacy is the duty of all believers. Every Christian should “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).
Those who truly love the Lord and “walk worthy of the calling” (Ephesians 4:1) will contend for the faith, the truth, against the doctrines and commandments of men. When one fails to do this, he is unworthy and has no right to be called a disciple. In fact, the Holy Spirit said, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). Notice in this list of sinners, cowards lead the whole bunch! Those who lack the backbone to stand for truth are unworthy to be Christians, and face a stern judgment at the end of the world.
It’s sad, but true. Many won’t stand up for Jesus and His truth. Of these, Jesus will be ashamed (Mark 8:38). Are you one who wants sermons and teaching filled with “feel-good” stories and “heart-warming” tales, while lacking conviction and willingness to call sin “sin” and error “error”? When was the last time you studied to expose and condemn the erroneous teachings and practices of others? It may sound harsh and unloving to the world, but Paul did this in several places throughout his writings.
Do you do what Paul did? If not, why not? Are you afraid of offending people? Do you seek the approval of men above Christ? If so, you are unworthy of Jesus and of your brethren’s respect. Paul wrote in Galatians 1:10, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” Jesus never promised freedom from opposition in life. We need strength and faith to fight the good fight. Jesus declared, “Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake” (Luke 6:22).
Kyle Campbell
