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Contending for the Faith Today, Courage, Conviction, and Christ Centered Love
Contending for the Word Q&A • September 30, 2025
Introduction
Over the past couple of weeks, we have answered questions about deconstruction, the Word of Faith movement, hyper grace teaching, open theism, contemplative spirituality, the occult, progressive Christianity, and more. So it is fitting that we close by asking how Christians can contend for the faith today.
This is not just an academic issue. Jude 3 calls us to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” That call is urgent in every generation, including ours.
What It Means to Contend
To contend does not mean being combative, arrogant, or harsh. It means to:
- Defend the truth of the gospel (Philippians 1:16).
- Expose false teaching (Titus 1:9).
- Stand firm in sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2–4).
- Do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
Contending is loving because it protects God’s people and points sinners to the only Savior.
How Christians Can Contend Today
- Know the Word of God. You cannot defend what you do not know. Be a student of Scripture (Psalm 119:11).
- Cling to sound doctrine. Love theology, because right belief leads to right living (Titus 2:1).
- Expose error graciously. Name and refute false teaching, with compassion for those who are deceived.
- Live out the gospel. A godly life adorns the doctrine we proclaim (Titus 2:10).
- Pray for courage and wisdom. Boldness comes not from us but from the Spirit (Acts 4:29–31).
- Stay rooted in Christ. He is the foundation of our faith, and He has promised to build His church (Matthew 16:18).
Conclusion
Contending for the faith is not optional, it is the calling of every believer. In a culture filled with deception and compromise, Christians must hold fast to God’s Word, proclaim Christ with clarity, and live lives that display the transforming power of the gospel.
As Paul exhorted in 1 Corinthians 16:13–14, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” That is what it means to contend for the faith today, with courage, conviction, and Christ centered love.
For more from Contending for the Word Q&A please visit our page here at Servants of Grace our at our YouTube.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
