Called To Be Contenders For The Faith

"Today's Devotion" For January 16, 2006

Read: Jude 3-4; Galatians 2:1-5, 11-21

CALLED TO BE CONTENDERS FOR THE FAITH

"...I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." (Jude 3b)

One of the axioms of American society is that everything is open for discussion except "politics and religion." There's this intense feeling in our society that politics and religion are incompatible. For some, this belief even goes so far as to read into the Constitution the concept of the "separation of church and state," even though the first amendment is very specific in stating that Congress shall make no laws abridging or establishing religious practice or beliefs. This amendment was a clear response to the reason so many people had come to Colonial America in the first place - to escape religious intolerance and state-sponsored religion. From that auspicious background, very Biblical in its foundation and substance, has come the inauspicious situation of separating religious beliefs and principles - especially if you don't agree with them - from any impact or discussion in the public realm.

Today is a federal holiday. Most children around the country are out of school today because it's observed as Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Strangely enough, while this day honors and commemorates the civil rights activities of a man who was loved and revered by many while at the same time hated and reviled by others. Setting aside a day as a federal holiday in his honor was, and in some circles is, still a controversial issue. What's so interesting about this is that no real debate or discussion concerning the "validity" and "worthiness" of having a day in Dr. King's honor is ever countenanced. Such discussion, as with so many other things that permeate our society, including religion, is decried, derided, and denied. It often seems as if having an opinion that's at odds with the "popular" view is unwelcome and considered to be the results of bigotry or ignorance - or both. How incredible it is that the "popular" or prevailing views and opinions of so many are considered unassailable and the other freedom of the First Amendment - Free Speech - is abridged and denied.

Sadly, the reality of life is that many things that we believe as redeemed children of God in Jesus Christ are considered foolishness and nonsense by the world around us, even by many who also call themselves "Christian." If we challenge what others think or believe, even though such things might be contrary to the clear Word and Will of God, we're considered to be out of touch with reality. Many purported "teachers" in the Christian church seek to avoid any controversy and often adopt the ways of the world - with "modification" - rather than to challenge those things which fly in the face of God's Word. The "watchword" for such people is "relevance" - holding that the church needs to meet society's standard of what it means to be "relevant" rather than standing for the things of God. God's Word calls such religious leaders, "false teachers," and warns us to not only avoid them, but exhorts us to contend with them "for the faith that was once, for all, entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3b).

God's people are not seekers of controversy. We are called as witnesses to God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. We are called to share the Good News of salvation from Sin, Death, and Satan with a world lost in the darkness of Sin. Our Lord Jesus encourages us to be "wise as serpents, but gentle as doves" (Mt. 10:16). It's in our nature, as God's redeemed children, to be kind, gentle, and encouraging to others. Yet, we are also called to confront evil and the darkness of Sin with the truth of God's Word and the faith "that was once, for all, entrusted to the saints."

There are issues and controversies that affect the lives of people all over the world, not only in our own society. Part of being God's seasoning (cf. Matthew 5:13) in this world is to speak up in the face of injustice, inequity, and falsehood. Part of being God's seasoning in the world is to make it a point to share God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus with others, so they, too, might be in heaven with Him. Sometimes that means we've got to "contend for the faith." As we learn from history, when God's people failed to speak up and be counted for their faith and that which was right and pleasing in God's sight, terrible things have happened.

The old saying, "Evil prevails when good men do nothing," has proven to be accurate throughout history. False religious teachers supported such things as the holocaust and Hitler's Germany. False religion supports abortion and unnatural behavior between men and between women. God's people aren't concerned about someone's "opinion" about what is pleasing to God. Rather we are concerned with what's pleasing to God according to "the faith delivered that was once for all entrusted to the saints." To that end we are in the Word daily; to that end we seek God's guidance daily; to that end we remember that we belong to God, made His own precious children in Holy Baptism. Contending for the faith is, in fact, our daily call and commission from our Lord. How wonderful for Him to entrust us with such a mission for our lives. For us, the reality of faith in Jesus isn't "I coulda' been a contenda'" but that we are "contenders for the faith - for Jesus.

Prayer: Father, I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of controversy. Of course, sometimes that's okay, especially when it's about things that make no difference in Your plan of salvation in Christ Jesus. On the other hand, Lord, I carry that avoidance of conflict to the point where I even shy away from "contending for the faith" so that the truth of Your Gospel might touch people's lives and they might come to Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Forgive me for being so "cowardly" so that those who would seek to prevail in the hearts and minds of people with ideas that are contrary to Your Word and Your love for the world. Give me the strength to be a "contender" for Jesus and the truth of the Gospel every day, in every circumstance, being unafraid to speak Your truth and declare Your praises. Let me example of being a faithful "contender" for the faith entrusted to the saints so that my brothers and sisters in Christ might draw courage and strength from my example and contend mightily for the Gospel as well. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.