Contend 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 ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Jude 1:3

In the last few decades and especially the last few years, there has been an ever increasing effort by various movements, individual Christian leaders and entire denominations to de-emphasize the importance of holding fast to “sound doctrine.” In an ever increasing number of Christian circles, believers are being pressured to compromise and sacrifice truth for the cause of Christian “unity.”

It is becoming an accepted fact among multitudes of believers that the greatest evil of the hour is division among God’s people. More and more people are being seduced by the idea that no division - whatever the circumstances - is ever right. all division and in particular, the things which cause these divisions, must be overcome. “Unity” has become the rallying cry of multitudes and everything is becoming expendable in order to achieve that goal.

What is the major cause of division in the body of Christ? It is “doctrine” we are told. And so doctrine - and particularly the defense of doctrine, has become the great enemy of multitudes of Christians.

As a result, there is an ever increasing attack on those who would dare continue to let “doctrine” divide them from the “rest” of the body of Christ. We are being told that we should ignore {ie. compromise, sacrifice} our “petty” doctrinal differences and rally around the “essentials” of the Christian Faith. What saith the Scripture? Does the Bible teach that “doctrine” is evil? Does it teach that contending for true doctrine is wrong? Does it teach that all division is evil?

Jude exhorted us to contend for the faith. The whole faith, not just the “essentials.” And not only contend but earnestly contend for it! The apostles spoke out against the notion of seeking unity at any price.

If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

II. John 1:10-11

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Titus 3:10-11

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

II. Thessalonians 2:15

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

II. Thessalonians 3:6

Paul commanded believers to “withdraw” themselves {ie. separate themselves} from fellow believers who walk not after the “tradition” he taught. He instructed them to “stand fast” and “hold {not compromise} the traditions” he taught them. Was Paul being arrogant? Was he being “divisive?”

John said believers should not “receive” into their fellowship any who come and bring not this doctrine. That is, the doctrine he had just taught in his epistle. Not only were believers to keep separate from those promoting false doctrine but they were not even allowed to wish them well! Was John being arrogant? Was he being “divisive?”

Again, Paul told Titus that any person who persists in teaching heresy, after that he has been shown the truth a first and second time should be rejected by the fellowship. Was He being arrogant and “divisive?”

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.

I. Timothy 1:3

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

I.Timothy 4:13-16

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings.

I.Timothy 6:3-4

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

II.Timothy 4:2-4

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Titus 2:1

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.

Titus 2:7

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Romans 16:17

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

II. Thessalonians 3:14-15

I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

I. Corinthians 5:9-11

Holding fast to, defending, and if need be, separating over “doctrine” is not a sin. It is a commandment! The Scripture does not support the lie that all doctrinal division is evil. The apostles instructed believers not to tolerate false teachers and prophets. They told us not to compromise or sacrifice truth for any religious goal, including “unity.”

The doctrine which we hold and defend should be uncorrupt, sincere and sober. It should be “according to” godliness. When someone begins to teach unsound or false doctrine in the fellowships, we are to “reprove” them and stop them from destroying the faith. If they refuse to turn from their error we should “mark them,” “avoid them” and not “keep company” with them, so that they may be ashamed and repent.

The issue is not love. We are to continue to love those who are in error. We are not to treat them as enemies and should pray for their restoration as God leads. The issue is one of fellowship. We have been commanded by the Scripture to have no fellowship with the evil works of darkness. [Ephesians 5:11]

Is it “love” that allows a deceiving “spirit” to influence a fellow believer’s doctrine without warning or rebuking him? Is it “love” that allows him to spread that poison, wrecking not only his own, but the faith of others and not confront him? Is it “love” that allows all manner of deceiving spirits into our fellowships in the name of “unity?” Is it love that stands by and watches whole segments of the Christian community compromise the faith that was once delivered to the saints and stand by silent? This is not love!

The “love” and “unity” that is being fostered upon the people of God in this hour is a counterfeit! It is the work of the False Prophet. Many well meaning religious leaders have been deceived and are leading multitudes back into the arms of Rome.

But doesn’t God want His people to be “one?” Didn’t Jesus pray that we would be one even as He and the Father are one? [John 17:11&22] Yes, and one we will be. But true unity can never be built on compromise. God is doing just the opposite with His elect. He is giving those of us who will pay the necessary price the “mind” of the Spirit - the one mind of the Spirit of God. The body of Christ is going to be one in the truth, not one regardless of the truth.

As God brings each of us individually into the one mind of Christ, those doctrines and concepts which we hold that are false will give way to a more pure understanding of the Lord and His purposes. This is the only way the body will come into the unity we all desire.

Until God reveals a better understanding to you, “stand fast” and hold to the teachings of His holy word - even if it means standing totally alone. Never sacrifice truth for any relationship or religious goal. Genuine Christian unity can only be built on truth and it can only be built by the “Spirit of truth.”