1 Timothy 4:1-11 ; Jude  3
I have to write insisting  begging!  that you fight with everything you have in you for this faith entrusted to us as a gift to guard and cherish (Jude 3, The Message).

Continuing with our introduction, we will look at the definition of some of the words in our topic in order to aid our understanding.

To “contend” as a verb means to “argue”; or state in a strong and definite way, it also means to compete with someone or for something. Some of these synonyms include battle, compete or fight. It could also mean to challenge or engage. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia defines it as the meeting of effort by effort, striving against opposition.

The faith, on the other hand, has to do with the body of truth and doctrine of Christ that has been delivered to the church in the gospel. This truth does not need any addition or subtraction. It is the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the One whom God has appointed the Savior of the world.

Taken together, it means that the call to contend for the faith is a call to fight for the truth of the gospel. It is a call to strive against the opposition of false teachers and evil men who try to introduce false doctrine and heresy in the church.

Friend, this is a call to guard our faith and cherish it. It is my prayer that we will rise and fight so that we do not lose our generation to falsehood. Shalom.

Your Turn

• Pray for yourself that you will receive grace to stand and fight the good fight of faith.

Hymn:  Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war.

Further Reading: Ephesians 6:10-18.