Defending Faith: Our Responsibility

     

In the congregation where I preach, we have been doing our “Defending the Faith” series on Sunday nights. This series has been over doctrines of the church, apologetical topics, and tooical studies on our faith (which needs defending)! To that point- I think sometimes we need to sit and really ponder over the truth that it is we are defending. We need to meditate on it and decide in our own hearts whether it is worth defending or not.

Jude told Christians to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 3). That statement carries some weight. The faith has already been delivered- it is complete, sufficient, and authoritative- no Christian should debate that. Yet it must still be defended. Satan has never stopped knocking at the door of God’s people, and our silence has never been an effective response.

     Defending the faith is not about being quarrelsome or combative, though. Scripture warns against such asinine arguments (2 Timothy 2:23), but it also commands readiness to defend. Peter tells us in his writing to be “ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). Truth that is defended with humility honors God and helps protect tender souls from deception.

     You can look all across history, and it will repeatedly show that when God’s people stop guarding and defending the truth by which they stand, compromise to falsehood will soon follow. Paul warned the elders in Ephesus that savage wolves would arise, even from among themselves, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples (Acts 20:29-30). False teaching does not always arrive loudly- in fact it hardly arrives in that way; often it comes wrapped in sincerity, tradition, or popular opinion. This makes our discernment by the Spirit essential.

     Defending the faith, ultimately though, is an act of love. Our love for God absolutely demands respect for His authority (John 14:15). Love for the lost demands clarity (Romans 10:1-3). Love for the church demands vigilance, because error and false doctrine spreads if left unchecked (2 Timothy 2:16-17).

     Our Lord Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). Freedom is not found in adjusting the message to fit the culture. It is found in faithfully holding to what God has shown us through His word. Let’s be a people who study diligently. Let us speak graciously. There is a great need in this world for people who will stand firmly, unashamed of the gospel. We must be committed to defending this faith- THE faith of the Bible.

Written by: Mason MacDonald