If We Do Not Fight For The faith Everything Will Collapse

Study: # 664-Church in the Houses From: December 21-27, 2010

TOPIC: “If We Do Not Fight For The faith Everything Will Collapse” Jude 1:3 Jude writes the brothers concerning the glorious salvation which is the common possession of all believers. The Holy Spirit wanted to lead him to write about this so that we may contend ardently for the faith that was once given to the saints. Jude being docile did what was right and alerted us of the message from the Lord for each one of us. There is something strong for which all of us have to struggle, the brothers of the faith. Our faith is attacked and we cannot remain quiet before those who want to spread new doctrines of faith. The message of the Lord is that we must not remain quiet about this. Nowadays there are many new doctrines that undermine the faith of the believers. And Jude lets us know that we have to be motivated to contend ardently for the faith. In those days attacks were being launched against the sacred deposit of Christian truth, and the enemies of the truth had undertaken efforts to undermine the great fundamental doctrines. The people of God do not have anything to restore, correct, fix or repair from the inspiration of the holy Word of God. As in the days of Jude there was nothing to correct (neither today), but rather there was a great deal to contend against these fraudulent teachers. The way in which we are called to contend is not with gross attitudes, because that is not what we have learned, but with the conviction of the faith we have known. For what we contend ardently and with all our heart is the faith that has been transmitted to the saints for once and for all. The doctrinal body is already complete, there is nothing to add or correct. The biblical canon is finished and complete. Canon means the rule to measure. That is to say, that all the books that were already presented as inspired went through the canon, the correct rule to measure the authenticity and inspiration of the books of the Bible. Nothing else can be added to what is written. Revelation 22:18, 19 says: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." If a teaching is new it is not the truth. And if it is true it is not new. When someone pretends to have a revelation beyond and above what is found in the Bible, we reject it. Faith has already been transmitted to men and we do not need or pay attention to anything else. Many false prophets and teachers arrive that want us to pay attention to them. In the days of Jude there was a movement of intrigue and deceits. Those evil men who twisted the truth were already destined previously to be in condemnation. There is condemnation for those who deceive the Lord’s people. Men are lost because of their disobedience and sin; they rise against their creator and against His word. Then, what do we expect for them if it is not condemnation? The condemnation for the

apostates (rebellious) had been determined beforehand. Therefore, we must take care of the faith and not fall in the deceits of the false teachers who already have their condemnation. When men decide to walk away from the Christian faith their condemnation is equal to that of the Israelites who in the beginning had faith to arrive to the land which God had promised them but later they walked away from God. Their incredulity made them apostate (rebellious), they denied their faith. As they apostatize by their own decision they had to face the punishment that was predetermined for all the apostates (rebellious). The Promised Land was for them and they denied God. The apostates are impious men, depraved in their conduct and in their corrupted doctrine. In their conduct they turn the grace of our God into licentiousness. They twist Christian liberty in a license to do evil things and pervert the liberty to serve God in a licentiousness to sin. In their doctrine they deny God, the only sovereign, and our Lord Jesus Christ. They deny everything and become ministers who are against Christ and they have made a Christ as they please and at their magnanimity. If there are men who sin and induce others to sin against God we must rise to fight against that, one must discuss and battle for the faith in order to not perish like the incredulous Israelites, like the angels that sinned and like the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. Israel walked in the desert for God had promised them the land of Canaan. But they accepted the negative report of the spies and rebelled against the Lord. Numbers 13; 1, 2, 32 Their payment was that they perished in the desert, for those who doubt do not receive. The angels who rebelled against God and did not keep their dignity and abandoned their own dwelling are now under darkness in eternal prisons. Genesis 6: 1-2 Jude 1:6 They descended earth in a human form. That matrimonial union was contrary to God’s order and was an abomination for Him. God decided to destroy the earth with a flood because He was very much displeased with what they did. They abandoned the state that God had appointed for them; now they are in prisons and darkness until the day of their sentence of perdition. Another case of disobedience, incredulity and abandonment of God’s will was the apostasy of Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbor cities. They were addicted to homosexuality because of their great lasciviousness. All that was contrary to the order that God had established. Many defend homosexuality, but they will end up in the same place Sodom and Gomorrah ended, to the eternal fire. They slur (dishonor) the flesh. Their mental life is contaminated; they live their world of dirty fantasies. They reject the authority and they want anarchy. They detest God, the pastors; all is rebelliousness in their lives. Such persons have walked away from God and have followed the incredulity and apostasy. We must be brave and contend ardently for the faith that has been given to us by the Lord. We must conserve the truth and honor God. We must follow the steps of our Lord Jesus and not deviate to the left or to the right. Mathew 10: 22 "All men will hate you because of me; but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Amen.