Contending For The Faith
What Paul Says about Contending
2 Timothy 1:13-14
13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern
of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the
good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the
Holy Spirit who lives in us.
NIV
Jude is not the only New Testament writer concerned with contending for the faith. As one reads Paul&s second letter to Timothy, one must stop and wonder if Timothy&s faith was wavering. Had the disciple burned out fighting the false teachers? Did his faith need a recharge? Paul&s letter is full of practical advice all of us may follow as we contend for the faith.
2 Timothy 1:13-14
13 Hold fast and follow the pattern of
wholesome and sound teaching which you have heard from me, in
[all] the faith and love which are [for us] in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard
and keep [with the greatest care] the precious and excellently
adapted [Truth] which has been entrusted [to you], by the [help of the]
Holy Spirit Who makes His home in us. Amplified
is important to remember that the teachings of Scripture paint a picture of only two opposite positions. Anything that draws us away from God is against God. James writes that
friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4, NKJV).
If we are drawn away into the world, then the Church is made weak. We must maintain a purely Christian view of life, and the teachings of life. Anything less is enmity with God and false teaching.
Consider Paul&s directions for walking this purely Christian life as set forth in 2 Timothy 1:13-14:
Hold fast
Follow the sound teaching
Follow in faith and love
Guard the deposit of Truth
Use the power of the Holy Spirit
A clearer statement of contending for the faith will not be found in Scripture. Paul has made it clear that contending for the faith involves two elements - watching out for doctrinal errors and applying proper doctrine to our daily lives. In other words, we are to have both purity of doctrine and purity of conduct.
Let&s look at each element listed in 2 Timothy 1:13-14 in more detail.
