Did you grow up in a home where asking “why” was considered disrespectful or even dangerous? Where questioning was seen as a sign of rebellion rather than a pursuit of understanding? And this probably also affected your view of the Christian faith. Many of us were subconsciously trained never to question our faith or examine any doctrine too closely. We were taught that Christianity is about blind acceptance, not thoughtful examination. But what if this approach has actually made us vulnerable to false doctrine?

Jude 1:3
New King James Version
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you that you should contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Jude in the first chapter of his epistle here says he found it “NECESSARY to instruct you to contend for the faith.”
The Greek word for “contend” is epagonizomai, which literally means to struggle like one entering into a gymnastics contest. It means to fight with adversaries, to endeavor with strenuous zeal, to strive with everything you have to obtain something precious. And Jude was so intentional about this because the faith was being perverted from within. False teachers had infiltrated the church, turning God’s grace into a license for immoral living and denying the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Jude 1:4
New King James Version
4 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.

These weren’t obvious heretics attacking from the outside; they were within the church, spreading false doctrine from within. They spoke of grace while encouraging compromise. They talked about freedom while leading people into bondage.
This is why it becomes our responsibility to strive to establish the truth of our faith before those who seek to pervert it. You are saved, but beyond salvation, there is a responsibility to contend earnestly for the faith that saved you.

1 Peter 3:15 
New King James Version
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

Peter says you must ALWAYS be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you why you believe what you believe. You should be able to communicate your faith intelligently to anyone who questions it. This gives us a completely different outlook on Christianity — one that is far beyond the blind faith and ignorance that many critics claim it requires.

Faith is crucial in Christianity, but even with faith, you can examine logically the truth claims of Christianity and find them true. Many people believe that faith and reason must be in constant battle, but that isn’t true at all. Faith is not opposed to reason, rather, it requires the full development of reason, and reason itself requires faith in order to function properly.

Here’s the question you must honestly answer: Are you a Christian because you were born into a Christian home, or because you examined the truth claims of the faith and found them true?
Have you ever heard people ask seemingly controversial questions about the Bible and the Christian faith, and found yourself swaying in your convictions? This is why you need to be seasoned in the faith — you need to know your onions. You need to strengthen your knowledge about what you believe and why you believe it.

Christianity is not fanaticism; it’s far beyond that. The presence of the divine does not eradicate reason; it enhances it. If you haven’t properly examined your faith, you’re going to meet people who will attempt to pull down all the theological blocks you thought you had built, and everything you thought you knew will come crumbling down.
You will also encounter people who spread incorrect theology about God, His character, and the message of grace. If you aren’t ready, you might not be able to contend and will be found wanting when your moment comes. Are you going to be able to respond when your faith is on the line?

There is a branch of theology that deals with this, and it’s called apologetics — the rational justification for the truth claims of the Christian faith. And over the next few devotionals, we would be going over salient points to build our conviction and to prepare us to defend our faith when we step out to evangelize.

This doesn’t mean that people would all respond positively to us. No, people respond to apologetics in different ways; some reject it because they believe Christianity only has to do with experiences and inner witnessing. For them, to follow God means to be illogical and ask no questions. And this is wrong because while we don’t base our faith in God on logic alone, when you examine Christianity, it makes perfect logical sense.

Others may reject apologetics because they don’t want to deal with anything controversial or any opposition to what they already know.
Meanwhile, some people believe apologetics is only for “special forces” Christians: “the super-spiritual elite”. But when Jude wrote his letter, he addressed all Christians, not just the theologians or pastors.

These conversations are so important because the devil can ride upon wrong strongholds and mental models to manipulate believers. Incorrect mental models can be spiritually dangerous.
One way we can show love to others is by showing them from Scripture the correct doctrine. We don’t correct people to be right; we correct because we love them.

This requires that we listen and engage. You must listen to people’s questions and engage thoughtfully with their concerns. We must ALL contend; not just pastors, not just theologians, but every believer who has experienced the saving grace of God.

The faith that was “once for all delivered to the saints” is under attack, and passive Christianity is no longer an option. Especially in our generation, where false doctrine and various thoughts are the order of the day, you have a responsibility to defend what has been entrusted to you.

Prayer Point
Lord, I study and understand what I believe and why I believe it. Help me to engage thoughtfully with those who question the faith, showing both truth and love. I am ready always to give an answer for the hope that is within me. I refuse to be a spectator in this generation, use me to contend earnestly for the faith.