The Weekly Word: Defend The Faith
The weekly verse
“Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.”
Revelation 19:11 (NLT)
the weekly question
Whose testimony are you tethered to?
To have something “on good authority” may be an old expression, but the heart of this phrase is still relevant to our lives today. Fundamentally, this phrase means that we believe something to be true, because we trust the person (or people) who’s provided the information. This line of thinking influences the most basic beliefs of our daily decision making, and it also applies to what we believe about the weightier matters of life—such as eternity. This is why it’s worth examining whose testimony you’ve tethered yourself to.
“So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing…”
John 5:19-20 (NLT)
The Son of God only said & did what He witnessed from the Father. In other words, the testimony of Jesus’ words & life is built upon the eternal foundation of God the Father. This is the definition of what it means “to have something on good authority”. Don’t miss the voice of Jesus, who came to seek & save the lost. Don’t miss the voice of Jesus, who resurrects the repentant heart. Don’t miss the voice of Jesus, who brings us into Life with The Father.
“And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son.”
Jesus (John 5:25-26, NLT)
the weekly Consideration
In our world, especially today, there is a growing desperation & thirst for “truth”. Though we have countless sources that offer to satisfy our search, there remains only One True Source that can quench our soul. As Jesus revealed, the Holy Spirit is the Authority of Truth.
God’s Spirit advocates, corrects, searches, and reveals the depth of God’s Truth (1 Corinthians 2:10). His testimony comes from the Father & validates The Truth of The Son. When we receive God’s Spirit, we receive a testimony that is tried & true. And as we yield to His Presence, He guides us in all that we do.
“But I will send you the Advocate —the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.”
Jesus (John 15:26, NLT)
the weekly challenge
Defend The faith
The book of Jude opens with a greeting to those who are “called, loved, and kept in the care of Christ Jesus” (Jude 1:1). There’s a tenderness & an eagerness found in the opening portion of Jude’s letter, as he clearly longs to dive into the depths of our salvation in The Lord. However, what should have been a letter of celebration, turns into an important call-to-action.
“Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people.”
Jude 1:3 (NLT)
What did Jude find? He found the fellowship of God’s people had become compromised in the church, & they were at-risk of falling away from the faith. Jude found that “godless people had wormed their way in, who were saying that God’s grace is a cover for immoral living” (Jude 1:4). These godless ones weren’t submitted to the Lordship of Christ, therefore, these “shameless shepherds cared only for themselves, and were like dangerous reefs that could shipwreck one’s life” (verse 12).
Simply put, our relation ”ships” matter. While we love & minister to everyone The Lord calls us to, we have to be diligent when it comes to those who have an influence on the direction of our faith. There are people who may appear Godly, but “they lack God’s Spirit & their own natural instincts are leading them to blackest darkness” (verse 13,19). Be mindful of such people. Keep your eyes on Jesus in all that you do. Keep defending the True Faith & all who’ve been entrusted to you.
“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.”
Jude 1:24 (NLT)
we pray this week’s edition of “the weekly word” blesses you & the lives of those around you!
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