SEARCHLIGHT
Is there anything that could shake you, causing you to lose faith?
SCRIPTURE
Dear friends, you must become strong in your most holy faith. [Jude 20a New Living Version]
But you, dear friends, must build up your lives, ever more strongly upon the foundation of our holy faith… [Jude 20 Living Bible]
SPOTLIGHT
Hudson Taylor faced a very trying time while he led the China Inland Mission. Taylor founded that ministry which brought over 800 missionaries to China. Those men and women were responsible for establishing 125 schools which directly resulted in thousands of people becoming Christians. During the challenging time regarding the CIM work, Taylor wrote to his wife, “We have twenty-five cents—and all the promises of God.” [Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching and Preachers, p 242] Would you have given up or become stronger in your faith?
Adoniram Judson was a missionary to Burma. Once he was held captive in a foul-smelling jail with 32 pounds of chains on his ankles and his feet were bound to a bamboo pole. With a sneer on his face, another prisoner asked, “Dr. Judson, what about the prospect of the conversion of the heathen?” Judson quickly responded, “The prospects are just as bright as the promises of God.” Is your faith that strong?
Jude wrote to believers about their faith in Jesus Christ. In verse 3, he instructed them to “contend” for their faith. Then in verse 20, which is our Scripture focus for today, he told them to become strong in their faith. The word “faith” refers to an unwavering commitment to truth regarding God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, sin, heaven, hell and so much more.
Society teaches that things are relative. There are no absolutes. What may be right for you could be wrong for me. You should look at the world the way you want to, and I should look at the world the way I want to. Personal perspective is what is most important in life. There is no black and white. In contrast, Jude called Christians to hold to the faith that God has unchangeable laws and principles for people to live by.
Life is not to be built on relativism. It is to be built on absolutes taught in God’s Word. The Christian faith has been established by God. People cannot change what God has ordered. It cannot be amended so it will fit a set of circumstances. The “faith” cannot be blended with other religions. And it cannot be transcended. Man is not above God.
Truth is unchangeable. It cannot be molded to fit a new generation. The “faith” which is found in God’s Word is unamendable. It cannot be molded to suit a person’s wishes. God’s truth, which Jude is calling the “faith,” may be ignored and even cursed but it is true and will not be obliterated. It can be denied, but it cannot be destroyed.
What are you doing to become strong in your faith? What steps are you taking to have an unshakeable faith? When the lights go out and you are in the dark of night, will you know for sure that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world? When you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, will you firmly believe that Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life?
Great people of faith like Jude, Taylor, and Judson were not born with a strong faith. They built their faith by daily reading God’s Word and praying. [Acts 20:32] They believed that they were under divine construction. [1 Corinthians 3:9-12; Philippians 1:6] They were taught about the faith by teachers and preachers. [2 Corinthians 10:8; 13:10] They believed in building each other up in the faith by meeting together. [Ephesians 4:29; Hebrews 10:23-25] Are you going to take steps to become a stronger Christian?
SOMETHING TO DO
Here are some questions you need to consider to become a stronger Christian:
- Are you daily reading God’s Word? How is it changing you? Tell me how you are growing in your faith.
- Are you praying each day? Do you begin and end your day talking with God? How is it changing you? Tell me how you are growing in your faith.
- Are you allowing Jesus to change your perspective, attitudes and behavior? How are they changing? Tell me how you are growing in your faith.
- Are you going to church? Are you attentively listening to the preaching and teaching? How is it changing you? Tell me how you are growing in your faith.
- Are you meeting with other people of the “faith”? Do you study God’s Word and pray together? How is it changing you? Tell me how you are growing in your faith.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, I would ask that you guide me to become a stronger Christian. I commit myself to living out the 5 suggestions I just asked myself. Empower me by Your Holy Spirit. May I have an unshakeable faith. AMEN!!!