Agonising for the apostasising: why we must contend for the faith

Recently, I was reading the Sunday Edition of the regular email I receive from Harbinger’s Daily and the editorial said this in part: “Some have asked why Harbinger’s Daily often publishes ‘negative’ articles highlighting apostasy.  A better question would be: What should we do when false ambassadors for Christ misrepresent the Bible and lead people away from the truth of God’s Word?”  In my opinion, the editorial was very well written and ended by rightly claiming that the remnant church cannot stand idly by and allow dangerous false doctrines to sweep through the church.  As I have the privilege of being a regular contributor to Harbinger’s Daily, I thought it would also be prudent for me to address the question as to why highlighting false doctrine and exposing apostasy is necessary.  

Sometimes, false doctrine is difficult for believers to identify, particularly those new to the faith.  This is due to the fact that many who set out to deceive believers will deliberately cloak their false doctrine in ideas which are seemingly appealing.  Charles Spurgeon once said that “the new views are not the old truth in a better dress, but deadly errors with which we can have no fellowship.”  He also said, “I cannot endure false doctrine, however neatly it may be put before me.  Would you have me eat poisoned meat because the dish is of the choicest ware?” 

In the world today, there is a popular saying: “Live and let live”.  In simple terms, it evokes a principle of tolerance.  Although many insist that tolerance should be at the forefront of our Christian grace toward one another, the fact is that tolerance is a tool used in the world to demand tacit approval for a thought or behaviour that is in opposition to another person’s strongly held conviction.  So, when it comes to false doctrine in the church, should we “live and let live”?  To answer that, let’s see what verse 3 of Jude says: Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.  For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

The epistle of Jude (only one chapter in length) is a fascinating but often neglected letter.  In his commentary, Warren Wiersbe once wrote: “Jude had started to write a quiet devotional letter about salvation, but the Spirit led him to put down his harp and sound the trumpet! The epistle of Jude is a call to arms….I must confess that I sympathise with Jude.  In my own ministry, I would much rather encourage the saints than declare war on the apostates.  But when the enemy is in the field, the watchmen dare not go to sleep.  The Christian life is a battleground, not a playground.”  That quote appealed to me because of what is written in Isaiah 58:1: Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.  Although Isaiah was clearly commanded to speak to Israel, a similar principle should also apply when it comes to the rejection of Biblical truth in the church – it should be met with a trumpet, not a whisper.

Verse 4 of Jude begins by saying: For certain men have crept in unnoticed.  In applying that to the configuration of an ancient city, the only way that people were able to creep in unnoticed is if the watchmen fell asleep.  This is why Jude is using a metaphorical trumpet.  Spiritual leaders in the churches had grown complacent and careless, allowing false teachers and apostates to rise and gain influence among the people.  Jesus had warned about this and the very fact that Jude was writing about it indicated that the warning had not been heeded.  So, Jude, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, urges his readers to contend for the faith against those who seek to undermine and erode it.  Now this mission is not just left to ministry leaders.  Since the faith was entrusted to the saints (Jude verse 3) all believers are called to defend the truth of Jesus Christ.  In this manner, the prayerful goal is to see churches and individual believers delivered from error.  After all, if people are to be delivered from error, they must be confronted with the truth. 

But what does it mean for us to “contend for the faith”?  The Greek word adopted in the Jude passage is the basis of our English word, “agonise”.  It is the picture of an athlete giving every bit of physical energy and mental focus to compete in and win the event.  With the exception of bed-ridden prayer warriors, the Lord’s battle is rarely fought from recliners and soft beds.  Just as the athlete competed and the soldier fought, so too the Lord expects us to be actively engaged in the fight.  When the honour and glory of Jesus Christ is at stake, all believers should mobilise.

In Proverbs 3:11-12 we read: My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction; for whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.  The point is that true love does not conceal itself – it must and does express itself.  As the Scriptures declare (see also Proverbs 27:5 and Revelation 3:19) that often involves correction. 

So, if you read articles that expose false doctrine or rebuke apostasy, it is not done in order to dwell on the negative, spark controversy or draw attention to our ministries.  It is an expression of our love for Jesus and the truth of His Word.  It also expresses our desire to see all believers conform to God’s standard when it comes to the preaching and teaching of His truth amongst all that comes under the banner of Christianity.