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Faith in What?

“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” Jude 3

Faith is essential for our salvation. But faith in what? Jude reminds us that faith is a noun and not just a verb. He is referring to a body of truth, not just the exercise of belief. Just because someone claims to believe in a god, or is faithful in the practice of their religion whatever that religion may be, does not mean that they are saved. It is faith in the true God that saves.

I have watched too many people enter into abusive or deceitful relationships. When warned by their friends that this is not healthy for them, that the track record of their boyfriend or girlfriend clearly shows it will lead to a painful end, the inevitable response is, “Not with me. They love me. It will be different with me.” They are deceived by a misguided belief. Rather than look at the “body of truth” about this person, they believe a lie. And they pay a painful price.

God’s track record and story is well documented. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. We have a foundation of faith, the testimony and revelation once entrusted to us. And it is that truth, that faith, we must contend for against all deceptions and falsehoods.

Prayer Focus: Lord, it seems so easy for us to be deceived. We focus on the amount of our faith rather than the object of our faith. Help me today to be sure of what I believe, not just that I believe. Thank You for being the Way, the Truth and the Life for us today.

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