It is amazing how quickly men forget when they are willing to compromise for their own selfish ends! Do you remember the trail of martyrs’ blood that paid the price for securing the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ for your benefit? Have you counted the cost in the lives of faithful saints so that you could feast upon the pure Word of God?
It is written: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (I Cor. 16:13) Paul tells the believers to behave like men by standing fast in the faith. I ask you, where are those “men of the faith” today? It seems like the order of the day is to “wimp out” on the Lord. Where are those who are willing to make a stand upon “Thus sayeth the Lord our God”? Far too many of the saints have turned into spineless sissies. Few stand for anything and are willing to compromise everything for the sake of harmony.
It is written of the first believers that were added to the church in Jerusalem: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine...” (Acts 2:42) Most folks today are terrified by that word “doctrine,” primarily because it means they will have to stand for something. They are afraid of being shunned by the mainstream populous, never caring that the mainstream is on the broad road to destruction. Doctrine is the foundational truths that bind believers in a proper relationship with God. Is it not written, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,”? (II Tim. 3:16)
It is also written: “...and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth...” (Eph. 6:13,14) In heavenly fashioned spiritual warfare, a believer is required to make a stand girded with Heaven’s Truths - behave like a man!
It is also written: “...earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3) The word “contend” means to strive in debate or controversy, argue, dispute. There has been a trail of blood from Adam to this very day of those who stood like men for the truth that was once delivered unto us by the living God. Our generation has grossly forgotten the trail of blood that brought unto us “THE FAITH” of the saint. Have we forgotten the manly determination of the martyrs of old to stay the course? Where are those who will behave like men of God by contending for the Faith?
By: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.
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