FWD: Morning Manna (Aug. 27); BP: Jude; RBTTY: I Cor. 9; Ps. 120-122

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sun, 26 Aug 2007 20:38:53 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (Aug. 27); BP: Jude; RBTTY: I Cor. 9; Ps. 120-122
 
 
August 27 “On Contending for the Faith”  
 
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common  
salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that you  
should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the  
saints.”  
Jude 3  
If there was ever a time, it’s now.  
Evil has always existed in the world since Adam and Eve ate from the  
forbidden fruit. Even a cursory reading of God’s Word and world history  
will attest to this reality; thus, it’s clear that today’s Manna’s call to  
“contend for the faith” is really not a new one. Joshua’s call to “Choose  
you this day whom you will serve” (Josh. 24:15a) is still true.  
 
Now, to some this seems a bit too radical or fanatical; they prefer a  
much softer approach to “reaching the masses.” Calls for “choosing” and  
“contending” sound too alarmist—especially when coupled with talk of the  
“end times”. . .God’s judgment on His people and the world. . .one’s eternal  
destiny, etc.  
 
But, oh, dear Pilgrim, the hour is late—much later than we think!  
When Jesus gave His “end-times Message” to His disciples (and us) prior  
to His impending crucifixion (Mt. 24:3-25:46), no doubt the eyes of his  
listeners opened wide and their mouths dropped, as they gasped in horror.  
And, that was over 2,000 years ago!  
 
Yet, it would appear from current events and daily headlines that we  
are definitely in “the beginning of sorrows” (Mt. 24:8) and the door of  
salvation to our Ark (Jesus) is slowly beginning to close. Even now, evil  
nations are aligning themselves together in what could be what the  
fulfillment of prophecy about “Gog and Magog” in the last days (Ez. 38-39;  
Rev. 20:1-14).  
 
That’s why it’s importance for us to make sure whose side we’re on; our  
failure to do so will ensure it’s the wrong one! Jude’s call to “earnestly  
contend for (Grk. ‘epagonizomai’—‘to struggle for, compete for a prize,  
labor fervently, strive, etc.’) the faith” is a clarion call to courageous  
commitment. And, when we read his description of the false teachers who’ll  
be on the scene in the last days (vv.5-23), it’s like reading today’s  
headlines, isn’t it?  
 
Does that mean we need to go out and beat people over the heads with  
the Bible? Do we need to don some sandwich-board sign and walk up and down  
the streets crying, “Repent!” or “Turn or burn”? No, not hardly—for many of  
our problems these days stem from our obnoxious ways. . .or, sadly, even  
worse, from our being walking contradictions of the message we claim to  
believe.  
 
“Contending for the faith” means standing up and being counted. It is,  
as someone said, “Hating nothing but sin and loving nothing but God.” Now,  
as never before, each one of us who claim to be “Pilgrims of the Way” and  
“Soldiers of the Cross” needs to be “fighting the good fight, running the  
good race and keeping the faith” (II Tim. 4:7). The hour is late—but not  
too late. May the Holy Spirit help us to demonstrate Jesus’ power to change  
lives by living holy lives of mercy and compassion (Jude 21-23).  
 
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