The phrase “contend for the faith” comes from Jude 1:3 which says “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” This verse encourages believers to stand up for and defend the core doctrines and beliefs of Christianity.
When we “contend for the faith,” we are protecting and fighting for the truth of the gospel message. This includes contending against false teachings, false prophets, and any doctrines that contradict biblical truth. As Christians, we have a responsibility to know what we believe and why we believe it based on Scripture, and to refute anything that goes against God’s Word.
Here are some key aspects involved in contending for the faith:
Upholding sound doctrine
An important part of contending for the faith is upholding, proclaiming, and defending sound biblical doctrine. Paul emphasizes the importance of this to both Timothy and Titus:
“As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3).
“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9).
Sound doctrine refers to teachings that align with Scripture. We contend for the faith by confronting and correcting false teachings, and also by instructing and grounding people in foundational biblical truths.
Exposing false teaching
An important part of contending for the true faith is exposing, refuting, and keeping watch against false teaching. The Bible warns us repeatedly of the dangers of false prophets and teachers who come in and spread destructive heresies and unbiblical ideas among God’s people:
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1).
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Timothy 4:3).
As Jude exhorts us, we need to contend against these damaging teachings and warn others so that the truth will not be distorted or lost.
Defending essential doctrines
Contending for the faith requires us to defend the essential doctrines of Christianity, not just peripheral issues. Doctrines like the full deity and humanity of Christ, the substitutionary atonement, justification by faith alone, the authority of Scripture – these are core truths we cannot compromise on or remain silent about. Jude exhorts believers to contend “for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints,” pointing to that core apostolic gospel message.
Paul shows the importance of this when dealing with the legalistic “Judaizers” who tried to add circumcision and law-keeping to the free grace message:
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9).
The essentials had to be protected, even if it meant confronting respected leaders like Peter (Galatians 2:11).
Proclaiming the gospel
Contending for the faith requires bold proclamation of the true gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. In a world of pluralism and moral relativism, it is critical we proclaim the exclusivity and sovereignty of Jesus Christ:
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'” (John 14:6).
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
In a culture that wants to silence and restrict Christian witness, we must speak truth with conviction, gentleness and love – contending for the faith that grants eternal life.
Living out the faith
True Christian faith is about more than just doctrinal accuracy – it transforms how we live. Contending for the faith means showing the power of gospel-focused living in our own lives. Paul says to Titus that we should…
“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” (Titus 2:7-8).
Our Christ-like conduct backs up our gospel proclamation, shutting critics down. We contend for the faith by embodying the truth, walking in integrity and godliness.
Fighting spiritual battles
There is a spiritual battle raging against the true faith, as Satan and the forces of darkness seek to assault the church. That is why passages on contending for the faith contain military imagery:
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” (1 Timothy 6:12).
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
We take up spiritual weapons to withstand evil and tear down strongholds in our minds and world that resist the knowledge of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Contending involves intense warfare against the lies and deceptions of the enemy.
Persevering under trials
Contending for the true faith means persevering even when it costs us. Early Christians faced immense pressure to recant their faith, and many gave up their lives rather than deny Christ. The book of Hebrews reminds us:
” Recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings…you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one” (Hebrews 10:32, 34).
Their steadfast faith served as a powerful witness. We must be willing to endure any hardship, pressure, ridicule or persecution to keep standing firm in the truth of the gospel.
Being Watchful
Contending for the faith requires constant vigilance. We are called to be alert and on guard against subtle drifts from biblical truth:
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:28-29).
Dangers often arise from within the church through false teachers spreading unbiblical ideas. We must stay watchful, refuting anything that contradicts God’s Word and protecting against doctrinal compromise.
Instructing and Discipling
An important part of contending for the faith is training up the next generation of believers to know biblical truth and stand firm. Paul told Timothy:
“What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
It’s not enough just to defend the truth ourselves; we must pass these timeless truths on to others who can continue proclaiming them. This emphasizes discipleship and ongoing biblical instruction within the body of Christ.
Seeking the Lost
While we contend against falsehood, we must also keep preaching gospel truth to win lost souls. Jude closes his call to contend for the faith by saying:
“And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh” (Jude 1:22-23).
Even as we confront unbelief, our heart must remain focused on pulling people from darkness into light. Contending isn’t just about proving we’re right; it’s about rescuing the perishing through the liberating message of salvation by grace.
Trusting God’s Sovereignty
As we contend for the faith, we can have confidence that God will ultimately build His church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Jude closes his letter with a beautiful doxology, placing the focus back on God’s sovereignty and glory:
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25).
Our calling is to be faithful; it’s God who will guard His truth and strengthen His church. Contending for the faith means resting in His might rather than our own efforts.
Prayer and Discernment
Contending for the faith without falling into an adversarial or unChristlike spirit requires humility, wisdom, and discernment. We must bathe this endeavor in prayer, asking God for clarity in separating truth from error and grace in how we respond.
We contend by the spiritual power of His might, not the weakness of human intellect. Our focus must remain on presenting God’s truth in love, not just “winning” arguments.
As we speak for Christ in an unbelieving culture, we ask for words from the Holy Spirit, not relying merely on persuasive human logic (Mark 13:11). Prayer keeps us dependent on divine grace rather than animated by fleshly zeal.
Contending for the faith also requires careful discernment and testing of every doctrine against Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). We must be cautious, thoroughly weighing whether a teaching aligns with God’s Word rather than blindly accepting or dismissing ideas.
As we strive to defend biblical truth, humility, grace, prayer and careful reflection must mark the manner in which we contend for the faith once delivered.
In Conclusion
Contending for the faith is a vital calling for every Christian. God’s eternal truth stands under assault, and we are commanded to rise up in its defense. This involves proclaiming sound doctrine, exposing falsehood, defending foundational gospel truths, boldly preaching Christ, modeling authentic faith, fighting spiritual battles, enduring trials, staying vigilant, discipling others, seeking the lost, and trusting God’s sovereignty. As we stand for the faith, our demeanor is just as crucial as our message. Our contending must be covered in love, humility, prayer and discernment. In a world drifting from biblical foundations, may God embolden His people to be faithful contenders for the timeless faith entrusted to us.