p. 4 | Contend for the Faith by a.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 5, 1865

"Contend for the Faith."

By a.

THESE are the words of the Apostle Jude, evidently written for the people of God in the "last time." In the third verse of his sententious epistle this "servant of Jesus Christ" says: "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." "Contend for the faith!" How suggestive an expression! The Apostle is looking down the vista of time, amid the perils of the last hours of probation, saw the antagonistic principles of Truth and Error arrayed in close combat, and hence his admonition to the soldier of the cross. If not before, we have now reached a crisis where we can determine the necessity of the Apostle's exhortation. The people of God are compassed with dangers, and the combat deepens. Trials always test the valor and faith of the Christian; and it is by these that many stumble and fall; still the Holy One of Israel has declared he would have a "tried people." Jude, by the prophetic Spirit, saw the Lord's children in conflict with the enemies of truth—he saw them in violent rencounter with the powers of darkness, the beast and his image, and in addition to the outward pressure, he saw traitors and cowards in their ranks, "spots in their feasts of charity," so he cheers them on to the contest and says, "Contend for the faith!"

We do not suppose this refers so much to certain Christian graces, and emotions of the mind, as it does to the letter of the truth. Joy, peace, and love, are a natural result of being obedient to all the commandments of God. God's people are made the depositaries of his truth, and this makes them extremely unpopular, and lest in an evil hour they should prove recreant to their high trust, he tells them to contend for the faith. The doctrinal views of Seventh-day Adventists are such as to render them obnoxious, and make them a sort of target for opposers to shoot at. But the man who can breast opposition in a Christlike spirit, who can stand the shock of attack without beating an inglorious retreat, such an one is morally brave, and for him there awaits a "crown of rejoicing." The words of the Saviour are, "He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved." And again, "Strive (i. e. agonize, or strain every nerve,) to enter in at the strait gate." Says Paul, "I press toward the mark." And he exhorts the church to "Fight the good fight of faith;" "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;" "So run that ye may obtain;" "Strive together for the faith of the gospel;" "Labor therefore to enter into that rest;" "Stand fast in the faith; quit you like men; be strong."

These are only a few of the strong terms which the Bible uses to excite us forward in this glorious work. And let God's people press together and there is no fear of the result. For

"The Hand that bears all nature up, Shall guard His children well."

On to Mount Zion, is the watchword which seems to pass from the highest in command to the lowest subaltern in the ranks. Let the Devil pit his legions against the columns of Prince Immanuel, we will press forward; He who wrought out salvation for us is our leader, and in his strength we are well able to go up and possess the land. This is a period of endurance, and "eternity's years will tell for our faithfulness now." We are to be like the Highland trooper who "never learned to beat a retreat!" Satan, by some wily feint or bold attack, will seek to get the vantage ground, but God's people must buckle on the armor and trust in Him who is higher than the heavens, and "over all, God blessed forever."

Brethren, let us all "contend" for that faith which was once delivered to the saints.