While peace in the church is necessary and should be sought by all believers, it cannot exist while false teaching is tolerated. Therefore, Christians must contend for the Gospel against all false teaching that perverts it. This is done by first understanding and holding fast to the true Gospel then identifying and fighting against any teaching that distorts it. The Gospel is the most precious possession of any Christian and is therefore worth our utmost effort to defend.

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.  For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
– Jude 3-4, ESV

The last three New Testament epistles (letters) are also some of the shortest, but they are also linked by a common theme.  Second John, Third John, and Jude all warn their recipients against false teachers who distort the Gospel.  Jude’s warning is the strongest, but Second and Third John also contain similar warnings, which are also stated by Peter (2 Peter 2:1-3) and Paul (Philippians 3:3, Titus 1:10-16, etc.).  Jude spends most of his letter describing these false teachers in graphic detail.  Why?  In verse 3, he appeals to his readers to contend for the faith.  His use of “contend” implies a fight or struggle, which is echoed by Paul (Philippians 1:27, 1 Timothy 6:12).  I recently wrote of the need for unity in the church, but clearly there is an appropriate time to fight.  It is important for every Christian to know when and why we must fight, who we must fight against, and how we must fight.
What to Contend for and When
First, since Scripture is filled with calls to maintain peace whenever possible (eg. Romans 12:18), it is important to know what we must contend for and when it is appropriate to fight for it.  Jude makes it clear in verse 3: “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints”.  This is clearly the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which Paul says is “of first importance…that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).  This is the Gospel: salvation by the grace of God alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone to the glory of God alone as revealed in Scripture alone.  Anything contrary to this is a false gospel that must be opposed.
When should we fight for the Gospel?  Jude answers this by stating that people “pervert the grace of our God…and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ”.  Jude accentuates this by describing the Gospel as delivered to us “once for all”.  This precludes any distortion of the Gospel that adds anything to or subtracts anything from the Gospel as it is clearly taught in Scripture.  This means that any gospel that subtracts from the person and work of Christ or adds any requirements other than the work of Christ (such as good works) is a false gospel.  Thus, we must fight for the purity of the Gospel when it is threatened.
One could argue that the Gospel is always threatened, as unbelievers frequently attack the Christian faith.  This is typically what we think of as the greatest threat to the Gospel.  However, Jude does not have external threats in view, since he says these enemies have “crept in unnoticed”.  Later, he calls them “hidden reefs at your love feasts” (Jude 12), referencing communion and therefore revealing these as enemies within the church.  This means that we are called to contend for the Gospel whenever its purity is threatened within the church.
It is equally important to note what Jude doesn’t mention: anything but the Gospel.  While we must contend for the Gospel, we are not fight over secondary doctrines (like the specifics of baptism and eschatology) or personal preferences.  Scripture explicitly commands us not to fight over such things (Romans 14:1).  This is why my theology page focuses on core doctrines rather than secondary doctrines and controversies. Still, even that goes a bit beyond core doctrines, so we must rely on what Scripture clearly teaches as the Gospel, which has been recognized throughout the history of the church and concisely stated in various creeds such as the Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed.
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For all who doggedly resist Christ, there are days of judgment coming. The Apostle John recorded a revelation of these coming days, and Chapter 14 is profound in its certainty. It speaks of Satan and his work in the final days as it grows darker and more prominent. 

People vainly think that they can do whatever they want, ignoring and even blaspheming the God who created them. But the Bible is very clear: judgment is coming for all those who ignore and resist God.
Now is a time of extraordinary mercy when opportunity is given to all to turn to Christ. And, once turning, they will find love that is hard to fathom, mercy that is completely unearned, and blessing that is overwhelming and eternal.
But for all who doggedly resist Christ, there are days of judgment coming. The Apostle John recorded a revelation of these coming days, and Chapter 14 is profound in its certainty. It speaks of Satan and his work in the final days as it grows darker and more prominent. Of evil rulers that dominate the earth and people bowing down to worship him.
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Suffering and weeping are real and profound, but for God’s children, they are temporary. One day, grief will end. Forever. Eternal joy is on its way. Jesus, our forever friend, “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain” (Revelation 21:4). This is the blood-bought promise of Jesus. In the meantime, when our hearts ache, let’s turn to Jesus, our greatest source of comfort and peace.

Over the four-plus years my beloved wife Nanci faced cancer, there were many good reports and many bad ones. We rode a roller coaster of emotions throughout her three surgeries, three rounds of radiation, and three rounds of chemo.
I vividly remember the day when the doctor said it was now stage 4 cancer that had spread to her lungs. That night we prayed together, and then I went downstairs, got on my knees by the couch, buried my face in my hands, and wept. I poured out my heart to God, begging Him to intervene. I did what 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to do: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (NIV).
Suddenly I felt something beside me. I opened my eyes and saw our golden retriever Maggie’s front paws next to my hands. She gave me a look of loving concern, licked my tears, and then made a loud mournful sound she had never made before and never did again. I can only describe it as a groan. It startled me.
I thought immediately of Romans 8, which tells us that we groan, the whole creation groans, and God’s Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. I realized that three of us were groaning together for Nanci, whom we all loved—our God, myself, and our dog. And then I wept more, this time finding great comfort in both my companions.
The God of All Comfort
A year later, I was there when Nanci took her last breath. I felt profoundly sad, yet so privileged to have been her husband and to be there till death did us part. In the more than two years now since she relocated to Heaven, her absence has been palpable. I miss her frequent texts about dogs and football and great quotes from Charles Spurgeon and J. I. Packer and others. I miss the sound of her voice and her laughter, always so loud and contagious.
The grief has been difficult. Yet God has been doing a work of grace in my life, bringing me comfort that allows me to go forward without her. (This is greatly helped by my anticipation of one day being with her again in the presence of Jesus!) In Psalm 16:8 (ESV) David says, “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” To set God before me is to recognize His presence and constant help.
When a child falls off a bike, she doesn’t need her father to say, “Sweetheart, here’s why it happened—given your speed and the weight of this bike, it couldn’t tolerate that sharp turn and . . .” No. The child simply wants comfort. Like this child, we don’t need explanations, most of which we wouldn’t understand anyway.
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His kingdom is still a now and not yet.  The people of Isaiah’s day looked forward to the coming of that king from Galilee, we can look back and say that He is here.  He shines His light on us, but there are still dark shadows.  At this very time those trust Him can celebrate His full and free forgiveness.  At this time those who trust Him can be comforted that He guides us and fathers us in love.  But we too look forward. 

What darkness are you passing through?  This year may have been one where you travelled through the valley of the shadow of death.  Maybe you have struggled with the darkness of depression and despair.  Maybe you feel that uncomfortable feeling of guilt for some sin that haunts you.  Jesus has come to shine His light into your darkness!
Isaiah means ‘God saves’.
The key to understanding the book of Isaiah is found in the prophet’s name.  Isaiah means ‘God saves.’
It is the eighth-century before Christ.  God’s people had been divided into two kingdoms—Israel/Ephraim in the north and Judah in the south.  Isaiah is speaking to the southern kingdom, whose king, Ahaz, is a descendant of the great king David.
The super-power of the day is the Assyrians.  Ephraim/Israel had formed an alliance with a place called Aram to protect themselves against the Assyrians.  Now Ephraim and Aram are threatening Judah: ‘if you do not join with us we will invade you.’  Rather than trust God, Ahaz forms a pact with the Assyrians.  The Assyrians had no plans to do them God.
In short, Ahaz and his people are not trusting God, and the result is going to be disastrous.  But God saves.  He is going to rescue a people who will be guided by His words.
Light from a surprising place.
The light is going to come from the region around Galilee—Zebulun and Naphtali were in the north.  When Israel and Judah were attacked this was the first place to be toppled.  The Galileans knew plenty of slavery and despair.  But God loves to turn things on their head.  From this place of darkness and oppression comes the light of freedom.  Matthew picks up these verses as he introduces the ministry of Jesus (Matthew 4:15-17).
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Every morning we awake, God gives us just enough mercies to handle today, just enough pain to not overwhelm us, just enough pleasure to fix our gaze on him. And even our lament can be a gift, for tears remind us that we are still alive and recipients of God’s grace. God gives everything in his good measure. Yet his mercies today are only for today.

The Japanese art of kintsugi beholds an object’s brokenness as beauty instead of flaws that must be hidden. Skilled artisans mend broken pottery using melted gold or silver. They gently press each piece together, then seal them with a lacquer until the precious liquid hardens in the cracks. The result is a beautiful design on a previously common vessel.
Our Potter also fashions clay into vessels of his choosing. As God declared of Israel, “I can build you up or break you down. I determine both your purpose and your span of life” (see Jer. 18:1–11). Perhaps this picture grips the prophet Jeremiah as he mourns Jerusalem’s destruction (Lam. 3:1–20). For the Lord has crushed his chosen people. He has torn down city walls and defiled the holy temple. He has allowed their enemies to carry them into exile and seems to have broken his covenant promises. Would God rebuild the nation anew? Would he restore his chosen people?
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope” (Lam. 3:21). We cling to hope in times of brokenness when our lives appear to fall apart. And we actively wait on God when his answers feel slow in coming. For patient hope gathers up the pieces and returns our hearts to him. Such hope comes as we daily rest on the promises of God’s grace. Hope comes as God’s Word captures our foolish thoughts and we embrace his goodness. Hope comes as we fight to orient our hearts toward him and remember our precious Savior. Hope comes as we call to mind that “the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (vv. 22–23).
Hope is the evangelistic beauty in our suffering. It perplexes the world and intrigues even skeptics. For suffering is a language common to humanity, but hope that lasts is spoken only from the heavens. Suffering is a valley where so many have lost their way, but where the light of hope shines brightest.
Consider the example of failing health which requires a medical operation. Gospel hope provides the chance to share with unbelieving loved ones why we are not afraid of surgery. It teaches our children that the faith we speak is not a thin veneer. It gives us words of comfort for the fearful patient in the bed beside us.
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First, we must attend to the ordinary means of grace (Word, sacraments, prayer). Our understanding of the love of God for us and our corresponding love for Him will grow as we continually exercise these Spirit-ordained means. Second, we must gather with the saints regularly to stir one another up to love and good works (Heb. 10:24). It is only as the whole body works together that we are built up in love (Eph. 4:15–16). Third, we should regularly ask the Lord for opportunities to speak about Christ to unbelievers and for boldness to seize these opportunities when given (Col. 4:3–4).

Have you found yourself sitting across the table from an unbelieving friend, feeling nervous about how to speak about Jesus? I have. I am not sure how to begin the conversation. I fear his rejection. I fear my inability to speak helpfully. I want to be bold, but I often find myself overcome with timidity. In those moments, I seem to lose clarity in my speech. I pull my punches. I become mealymouthed. I am standing between the hearer and the gospel, and I feel unable to get myself out of the way. How do I overcome these fears and become bold in gospel proclamation?

I want to provide three answers to that question. First, I want to consider the nature of boldness in evangelism. Second, I want to look at how the Apostles became bold. Third, I want to commend a few practices to encourage each of us in bold evangelism.
What is the nature of boldness in evangelism? The evangelistic preaching of the Apostles is frequently described by Luke as “bold” (Acts 4:13, 29, 31; 9:27–28; 13:46; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 26:26; 28:31). They proclaimed the historical facts of Christ’s work and the saving implications of His work. They were not so overcome by fear that they avoided open declaration of the gospel. They let the truth fall on the ears of their hearers without any apology, even as they were confronted with threats and persecution. As Alan J. Thompson wrote:
“Boldness” is a freedom to proclaim the truth of God’s saving purposes in the Lord Jesus along with the accompanying warnings and promises even in contexts of opposition, threats of personal harm, persecution or derision. It is the willingness “to be clear in the face of fear.”
How did the Apostles become bold? Before His ascension, Jesus commanded the Apostles to stay in Jerusalem, withholding their evangelistic ministry, until He sent the Holy Spirit upon them (Luke 24:49). The Holy Spirit was then poured out at Pentecost, and the ministry of the Apostles began (Acts 2). Their boldness in gospel proclamation was Spirit-empowered. One of the most instructive scenes in the book of Acts follows the arrest of Peter and John for their proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus (4:1–3).

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Each day, as you live with your children, you are presenting a view of reality. You are showing them that you believe that God is good and the rewarder of those who seek Him. By loving God and others, you model the truth that the law of God is good. As you make a priority of worship, you tell them that life is found in God. When you are kind to people who are unkind, you show the magnanimity and kindness of God. Everything you do provides a narrative of truth for your children.

I have recently become a great-grandfather, welcoming two great-granddaughters and one great-grandson into our family. Here are some biblical thoughts about childrearing that I am passing on to my grandchildren and their spouses.
1. Parenting is an important calling that God has given you.
Psalm 78 comes to mind:
He [God] established a testimony in Jacoband appointed a law in Israel,which he commanded our fathersto teach to their children,that the next generation might know them,the children yet unborn,and arise and tell them to their children,so that they should set their hope in Godand not forget the works of God. (Ps. 78:5–7)
What could be more important than passing on truth about God to the next generation? What could be a more significant legacy than generation after generation setting their hope in God? You will have many challenging opportunities in your life, but few will ever be as impactful as raising children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:3).
2. Learning to live under authority is foundational.
In Ephesians 6:1–3, God addresses children: “Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and your mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” God has drawn a circle in which children are to live. The boundary of the circle is to honor and obey parents. God promises wonderful blessings as a child lives in the circle; it will go well, and they will enjoy long life.
These are blessings every child and parent wants. Honoring and obeying is more profound than just doing what one is told. It is a faith commitment to trust and obey God. In teaching your kids to be under authority, you demonstrate the foundational truth that submission to God’s authority is the pathway to blessing.
3. The heart is the wellspring of life.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,for from it flows the springs of life. (Prov. 4:23)
Life flows from the heart.
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Peter tells us these mighty and terrifying beings were extremely curious about one thing: how and in what time the Christ would come. No wonder it was an angel who delivered the news to Mary in Luke 1. No wonder the myriads of angels rejoiced before the shepherds in Luke 2. No wonder the angels rejoice in heaven about the Lamb who was slain in Revelation 5. Christian, you are so blessed. You were born into an age that the angels had to wait thousands of years to find out. 

Biblical angels are nothing like the naked babies in art—these are terrifying beings, messengers of God who often begin with the words, “Do not be afraid.” They are strong, powerful, and mysterious, but even they have their limits. Angels are not all-knowing. Actually, God tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:3 that we will judge the angels. Angels may be extremely powerful, but they are not God.
The last part of 1 Peter 1:12 stopped me dead in my tracks a few weeks ago:
things which angels desire to look into.
The angels intensely desire to παρακυψαι (parakupsai), meaning they yearn to “bend over to look”—as if bending over or even crawling down on their faces just to catch a glimpse of God’s unfolding plan. The angels were intensely interested to know how and when the Christ would come, suffer, and be glorified.
But, that got me on a rabbit trail that I had not anticipated. Peter says the prophets were inquiring and searching carefully. Here’s where things get interesting. Repeatedly, the Bible puts the prophets in the same story as the angels. Here are just a few I found interesting. (Feel free to put in the comments more.)

Moses and the burning bush. An angel was speaking to him (Exodus 3:2).

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Hinn’s discussion of “Spirit-filled worship” (Chapter 6) was my favourite part. Denouncing charismatic razzmatazz on one hand and hidebound conservatism on the other, Hinn calls for worship which is “lifestyle … every moment of every day” (108–109). Worship which prioritises truth and holiness and doesn’t shy away from sin. Best of all, worship that focuses on Christ: The Holy Spirit didn’t come to put the spotlight on us, he came to put the spotlight on Christ. That is where all spirit-filled worship begins and ends … he takes the minds, hearts, and attention of believers and shifts all the focus onto Christ … Spirit-filled worship honours the spirit by making much of Jesus Christ. (118)

Costi W. Hinn’s Knowing the Spirit is a wide-ranging, easy-to-read and eminently practical introduction to a doctrine of the Holy Spirit as well as a response to the modern charismatic movement that Costi grew up with.
Hinn brings a unique perspective to the charismatic/evangelical divide. As nephew to the famous faith healer Benny Hinn and former beneficiary of the prosperity network, he knows the movement’s excesses and its self-serving theological abuses from the inside. As a convert to reformed evangelicalism, he has also witnessed enough ignorance of the Spirit in the Christian mainstream.
Responding To Misconceptions
Hinn structures his book as a response to the problems he has observed. For those who see the Spirit as an impersonal force, he opens with a robust defence of the Trinity, insisting that the Spirit is both God and a Person to whom we owe worship, praise, prayer, and relationship (Chapter 1). Against shallow experientialism that hopes for guidance and transformation through mystical encounters (e.g. tongues-speaking, stirring worship), Hinn serves up a meatier biblical spirituality: the Spirit convicts us of our sins (Chapter 2); comes to give us new life, justifies us and helps us understand Scripture, live it out and stay Christians (Chapter 3).

Knowing the Spirit: Who He Is, What He Does, and How He Can Transform Your Christian Life
Costi W. Hinn

Whether intentionally or not, many Christians today seek health, wealth, and happiness by summoning the Holy Spirit like a genie to grant their wishes. When things don’t go the way they think they should, disappointment and disillusionment abound. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
In Knowing the Spirit, author, pastor, and speaker Costi Hinn shows you why a relationship with the Holy Spirit is the most important next step on your journey as a Christian. Using clear and sound interpretation of Scripture, Costi clarifies who the Holy Spirit is–and who he isn’t–and answers some of the most important and most frequently asked questions about him.

Zondervan. 272.

In the next chapters, Hinn attempts to correct some sub-biblical understandings of biblical concepts. In Chapter 4, the question, “What does it mean to walk by the Spirit?” leads to a detailed exploration of Galatians 5:16–17. Hinn steers readers away from legalism and sinful license to the new life Paul wants for us; a life of Spirit-empowered holiness.
In Chapter 5, Hinn turns to ideas of spiritual “baptism” and “filling”, showing that the former is not a “second blessing” but a “free, God-given experience that is always linked to conversion” (94). Spirit-filling, on the other hand, is an occasional event that “provides the empowerment of the Spirit to live a faithful and godly life each day” (100).
Leaving Some Wrinkles Untouched
I wasn’t always sure that Hinn did enough work on ironing out the wrinkles in these discussions. Here are three observations.
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Ezekiel was called to prophesy and to preach, but God was the One who brought dead sinners to life by His sovereign power.  Similarly, though we do not hold the office of prophet, preachers are called to proclaim God’s Word.  We are called to preach about who God is and who man is; we are called to preach the glories of Jesus Christ; we are called to preach about the perfection of His life in which He lived for sinners; we are called to preach of the reality of the finality and completion of His work at the Cross where He bore the penalty of sin, namely the wrath and curse of God,  in full for sinners; we are called to preach that He is risen and ascended; we are called to preach about justification by grace  alone through faith alone, and we are called to proclaim that those who are found in Jesus Christ have His righteousness imputed to them. 

This article is based on a lengthier sermon preached called “Can These Bones Live.”  The full sermon expounded Ezekiel 37:1-14.  All Scripture quotations are taken from the English Standard Version.
The prophet Ezekiel was called by God during the fifth year of Judah’s captivity in Babylon.  The people were being judged, in exile for their sin and idolatry.  Ezekiel himself would have been about thirty years old when he was called to be a prophet, and his ministry lasted about 22 years.
In Ezekiel 37, we see a picture of hope that God is going to restore His people.  Ezekiel has just heard of the promise of regeneration and renewal, which we read in chapter 36, but here in chapter 37 there is a stunning picture of what God will do when He restores His people from exile.  But it goes deeper than that, for this passage gets to what God does when He brings dead sinners to spiritual life.
We read in verse 1 that it was “the hand of the Lord” that brought Ezekiel “out in the Spirit of the LORD,” and that the valley to which the LORD took him was “full of bones.”   These were not just bones; “they were very dry” (verse 2). What we see here is a picture of man in the state of sin.  Man is dead in sin.
But even as the Lord shows Ezekiel this seemingly hopeless picture,  we read in verse 3 that God asks the question, “Son of man, can these bones live?”  Ezekiel answers in the right manner, “O Lord GOD, you know.”   Ezekiel knows that if anyone is to bring life to these dry bones, it must be God Himself.  Ezekiel cannot do this work; only God can do it.
But God is going to use the means of Ezekiel’s preaching.  One of the reasons we hold so strongly as a denomination to the free offer of the Gospel is because in God’s sovereignty, He chooses to use the means of preaching.  We read of this in Paul’s epistle to the Romans:
“How then will they call on him in whom they  have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel.  For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?’ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”  (Romans 10:14-17)
So God commands Ezekiel in verse 4-6, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
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