Lesson 909: Earnestly contending for the faith

RUNNING THE CHRISTIAN RACE AND KEEPING THE FAITH IN THE FACE OF
DAUNTING CHALLENGES
Hebrews 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:24 – 27; Jude 1:3

These are difficult times and evidences show that we are in the last days wherein perilous times shall
come (2 Timothy 3:1). In other words we are gradually getting to the last mile of the way. The
pilgrim’s journey is likened to an athlete in a race wherein prize is set before us. There are obstacles
on the way that serve as distractions which will not make the journey a smooth ride after all. Such
includes trials of our faith, temptations from Satan, and weariness on the way. Answering the call to
salvation marks the beginning of the Christian race and the totality of the Bible doctrines becomes
our guide for running lawfully till the end. These doctrines constitute the whole faith that we must
keep lest we be found wanting at the end of the race; not having run legitimately. This is necessary
because the Devil is out there to make us lose the faith either in part or as a whole. Satan has
succeeded to cause many believers to wreck their faith; you therefore have the duty to ensure you do
not fall for his evil devices.

The climate at present is not very conducive for the believers as there are indications of
compromises, outright departing from the faith, corrupting influences of false teachers, false
prophets and such like. Standing your ground in times like this as a Christian requires determination
to be grounded in the word and standing firm to defend same in the face to strong oppositions and
seductively alluring situations (1 Corinthians 16:13).

ROUGH CHALLENGES AS REASONS FOR BACKSLIDING AND PERIL FOR SHIFTING

GROUND: 1 Timothy 1:16, 18 – 20; Romans 8:35 – 39; Hebrews 10:38 – 39; 2 Timothy 4:10a

The road to the celestial city is laden with challenges that often make the weak minded people to
grow weary and go back. A good understanding of what is before us will cause us to fight manfully
onward no matter the odds against us. Our faith is constantly under attack of the enemy and this
requires that we put on the whole armour of God at all times (Ephesians 6:10 – 11).

Jesus Christ was sorely persecuted for telling the people of His days the Scriptural truth in spite of
the good and marvellous works He did. Apostle Paul suffered untold hardships as an evil doer on the
ground that he stood firm in declaring the whole gospel of salvation. History shows how John the
beloved was tortured because of his faith in Christ. Polycarp suffered the same fate for refusing to
deny the faith once delivered unto the saints. All these endured their challenging times like their
Master and were able to overcome like He overcame.

However for those that shifted their ground and lost the battle of faith like Hymenaeus, Alexander,
Demas and others, heaven has no record of their past heroic deeds all because they were not able to
run faithfully till the end. The challenges confronting believers today include unemployment,
barrenness, persecutions, economic hardship, worldliness, contending against the truth of the Bible
by false teachers etc. In spite of these daunting challenges no one has any reason for not running till
the end to win a crown because there are innumerable promises for our sustenance. The peril of
failing to run faithfully till the end is loss of eternal inheritance.

REMEMBERING YOUR CALL AND RESISTING THE PULL OF SATAN: Jude 1:17 – 21; 2
Thessalonians 2:1 – 5; Acts 20:28 – 31; Luke 17:32; 1 Peter 5:8 – 10.

At salvation we are called to follow Jesus Christ till the end with the promise of eternal life and
beautiful mansions in heaven (Matthew 19:29; John 14:2). Jesus declared that anyone that looks
back as a Christian is not fit for the Kingdom of God (Luke 9:62). Any athlete that looks back in a
race is sure to fail is his pursuit to win a laurel. Our calling is holy and heavenly, and we are
encouraged to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10). This will require that we earnestly
 Lesson 909: Earnestly contending for the faith
contend continually for the faith because our adversary the Devil is lurking around seeking whom he
may devour (Jude 1:3; 1 Peter 5:8). Any luggage of besetting sin will sure hinder the Christian
from receiving the eternal crown.

There is no excuse for any believer not to win the race of life we are commanded to run. We must
therefore run lawfully and painstakingly. In the course of running this race there are certain things to
remember and these include the following:
Redemption is purely of grace and not of works (Ephesians 2:8 – 13).
Resistance to the truth by false brethren (Acts 20:29 – 31; 3 John 1:10; 2 Timothy 3:8).
Risks and hazards endured of past labours in His vineyard (1 Thessalonians 2:9).
Resurrection is sure because Jesus was raised from the dead (2 Timothy 2:8; 1 Corinthians 6:14:
15:14).

Remembering all these will make us to earnestly contend for the faith not minding what will befall
our lives by firmly resisting the Devil.

RUNNING THE CHRISTIAN RACE WITH PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE TO WIN

THE CROWN: Ecclesiastes 9:11; Hebrews 12:1; 10:36 – 37; 1 Corinthians 9:24 – 27; Revelation
2:10; 3:11; 1 Peter 5:4; James 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:8.

The thought of winning a crown at the end should make us to be determined to run the Christian race
with all our strength. It will require that we fight the good fight of faith by earnestly contending for
the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. God has made available the needed grace which
must not be wasted under any guise. Apostle Paul did not waste the grace upon his life and was able
to write to Timothy that he had finished his course and was sure to receive the crown awaiting him in
glory.

There is need for patience and perseverance since discouraging forces abound to make the race
tiresome. However there are clouds of witnesses before us that were able to make it till the end that
serve as inspiration that we also can make it if we hold fast to the truth of the gospel without bending
under whatever circumstance we find ourselves.