+DEV+ Spiritual Boot Camp

Date: August 27, 2009 9:34 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Spiritual Boot Camp

Spiritual Boot Camp

“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3).
Scripture Focus: Jude

Jude was the brother of James and half-brother of Jesus. In his short letter of only 25 verses, he spoke directly to believers about the apostasy and false teaching developing at that time.

Now, 2000 years later, we still have the same problems. The key for Christians is to “contend for the faith” as Jude encouraged New Testament believers to do. God directs our lives, but we still have stresses and strains. To learn how to “contend for the faith” and conquer our difficulties, we need to immerse ourselves in the truths of God’s Word.

The apostle Paul prayed that God would strengthen believers “with power through His Spirit” in their inner being,” and that they would be “rooted and established in love” (Ephesians 3:16-17).

I’ve discovered that being a pastor requires a commitment to continual preparedness. That’s what Jude was warning Christians about, then and now—don’t get caught off guard! God calls us to battle readiness that comes from the daily commitment to our spiritual boot camp.

Insight: The church must be constantly vigilant in order to stay strong in the faith and defend itself against false ideas about God and His Word.