The word for this week is "contend". It's found in only one verse in the New Testament. Jude 3:
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. KJV
This is the Greek word "epagonizomai". Actually, the Greek word applies to the entire phrase of "should earnestly contend for". Strong's Concordance says: to struggle for. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to contend with a thing, as a combatant. It's a compound word consisting of "epi" which means upon or about, intensive, and "agon" which means a contest. The word "earnestly" is added to convey intensive force. Jude was exhorting the believers to not take their faith lightly, but to fight for what they believed. I also like this from the Bible Exposition Commentary:
"I must confess that I sympathize 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."
It IS a battleground, but the war has already been won by JESUS. We simply have to 'contend' for that victory so that we can walk freely in it! I like the Passion Translation of this verse:
3 Dearly loved friend, I was fully intending to write to you about our amazing salvation we all participate in, but felt the need instead to challenge you to vigorously defend and contend for the beliefs that we cherish. For God, through the apostles, has once for all entrusted these truths to his holy believers.
The Amplified Bible says it this way:
3 Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary and was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to and exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the holy people of God]. AMP
There are times when we go along believing and confessing the Word and the results seem to come quickly and abundantly! Then there are other times when there seems to be delays and struggles to actually see the answers. Those are the times when we have to simply remind ourselves and others of the promises and resist the enemies attempts to discourage us and try to get us to quit. THAT is the contending! The Word never fails, but God's timing is PERFECT! When we look back after the fact, we will see that this is true! Another thing to remember if/when you face these times is that you and your family have an army of people standing with you! We love you and your family so much! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Even When It Hurts":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
