Contend For The Faith

The Word of God, the only source of our faith, directs the believer to "earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints."

Because of the sinful nature of mankind, our defense of the faith will offend and upset some people. It is against the very nature of sinful humanity to see the need to repent to a sovereign God.

When we stand for truth found in God's Word, we are not fighting personal enemies, but the enemies of The Lord. We must use scriptures correctly and for the glory of God.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called and has professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Self Control

Have you ever been tempted to do something wrong? We all have. The power to say "no" is only by the grace of God, but we don't always recognize it.

Galatians 5:22,23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Temperance is self control. We need self control as we struggle with procrastination, our tongue, foul language, lying or ungodly desires.

If we don't allow God to control temperance in our lives, it will control us.

The battle for the Christian is figuring out who is in control. The Temperance fruit is the most difficult one unless we surrender our control to God.

What is it in your life that God's doesn't have control over? Give it to Him.

Be Faithful

What really matters in life is not what others think about you, but what God thinks about you. He knows your heart and motives.

There is a cost for being a Christian. You may lose your friends or job or popularity, but you must be faithful. DON'T ONLY BE FAITHFUL --

• Until the first lie is told on you or things don't go your way.
• Until your child gets in trouble or you're not recognized for something you did.
• As long as folk are singing your praises and people are cheering you on.
• As long as family or friends are faithful.

Jesus is the standard of faithfulness.

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse: and he that sat upon him was called FAITHFUL and TRUE, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Our faithfulness rests on God's faithfulness. Our success is in Jesus. We are victorious because He is victorious.

God Knows

According to Fox's Book of Martyrs, 5 million believers died for Christ between 100 A.D. and 300 A.D. Can you even imagine that?

Believers' bodies were torn apart, joint from joint, upon racks of torture. Their fingernails were pulled out. They were wrapped in animal skins and thrown into sports arenas to be attacked and killed by wild animals. They were tied to stakes in Nero's gardens, covered with tar and set on fire to provide light for the wicked ruler.

Our modern brand of Western Christianity has become a way to get rich or have a big time in the name of God. Christians have their own celebrities, music, concerts, gift stores, fads, and even cruises.

Revelation 2:8-10 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write: . . . I know thy works and tribulation and poverty (but thou art rich) . . . Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer . . . I will give thee a crown of life.

Christ said to them then and to us now, "I KNOW". He knows all things and understands. That comforts us when we have been wronged. It convicts us when we are wrong.

Water, Flood, and Fire

All who are redeemed with the blood of Jesus are set apart for God. They are precious in His sight, and He delights in them. I know, because He has my back.

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Elderly, God-seasoned saints can tell you a thing or two about the power of His grace, the sweetness of his comforts, the kind care of his providence, and the truth of His promise.

In shady green pastures so rich and so sweet

God leads His dear children along

Where the water's cool flow bathe the weary one's feet

God leads His dear children along

Some through the water,

Some through the flood

Some through the fire,

But all through the blood

Some through great sorrow

But God gives a song

In the night season

And all the day long

                  G. A. Young

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To Judge Or Not To Judge

Do we have the right to judge people? The Bible says we will be judged in the same way we judge others. With that in mind, we should consider our motives and sin in our life before we decide to judge.

Philippians 1:9,10 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus distinguished between true religion and false religion -- spiritual truth and spiritual hypocrisy.

So, we are to judge between truth and falsehood, true righteousness and hypocrisy, God's voice and the enemy's voice.

Jesus was wrongfully judged. He spent more time with prostitutes and other discarded people than He did with religious people. He was criticized for associating with the down and out of society. 

A New Creature

How can you ever hope to pull off the assignment of living for God? You can't do it by yourself. You never could. You never will. Only Christ living in you can make it happen.

Because of the Cross, believers transform into a new person, having fellowship with God

2 Corinthians 5:17 If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.

This new person is free to come to God through Jesus. Salvation is free, but not cheap. It cost His blood.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame . . .

God wants a steady growth toward true spiritual maturity from His children. Changed lives must begin with changed hearts, and the only place to get that is by humbly bowing at the cross of Jesus, a snner needing God's grace.