HOLD FIRMLY WHAT IS GOOD

"Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints."
Jude 3 (NKJV)

• Jude enjoins believers to contend earnestly for the faith which was delivered to the saints.

• The truth you know should be jealously guarded (Philippians 1:27).

• We should not be dogmatic about the teachings of the Bible.

• You might have been taught certain things when you were young or inexperienced in the Christian faith; however, you need to be like Berean Christians who searched the Scriptures to know if things they taught them were so.

1. "Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went to the synagogue of the Jews.
2. These [Bereans] were more fair-minded [noble] than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."
   Acts 17:10,11 (NKJV)

• The major way to contend for the faith, the truth, is to have understanding of the Bible.
• Whatever you are taught, you need to search the Scriptures if it was so.

• Some people argue on certain subjects of the Bible, based on what they have been taught, not based on the Scriptures—even with evidence and proof, they still want to argue that they are right!

• If you have been taught somewhere about a particular subject of the Bible: Have you taken your time to check through the Bible, about the things you were taught?

• Some argue about the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Have you searched through the Bible about it, to know whether what you were taught is right?

• Some say those who speak in tongues speak gibberish—nonsense.

1. "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak; they will give account of it in the day of judgement.
2. "for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
   Matthew 2:36,37 (NKJV)

• Have you taken time to study the Bible to actually know they are speaking gibberish; even when the Bible says one who speaks in a tongue speaks to God (1 Corinthians 14:2).
• As recorded in the Book of Acts, in all the places where the Holy Spirit was ministered and received, those who were ministered to spoke with tongues as the evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-46; 19:1-6).
• And where it was not specifically mentioned that they spoke with tongues, one can infer or deduce that they did (Acts 8:14-19; 9:17,18; 1 Corinthians 14:18).

• A number of people also speak against healing, they said healing had been done away with.

• Healing is an essential part of the gospel. God is still in the business of healing. It is part of redemption package 📦—Jesus paid for our sicknesses as He did for our sins (Isaiah 53:4,5; Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24).
  "Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—BY WHOSE STRIPES YOU WERE HEALED."
  1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV)
• If you have accepted Jesus as your LORD and SAVIOUR, you should accept Him as your HEALER also.
• Jesus in His earthly ministry went about healing those who were oppressed by the devil. Sickness is an oppression from the devil (Acts 10:38).
  "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him."
  Acts 10:38 (NKJV)
• Jesus has given the assignment to every believer to preach the gospel, and signs will follow them. They will cast out demons, speaks in tongues, and lay hand on the sick and they will recover (Mark 16:15-18).

• Also, some speak against prosperity of the saints (Psalm 35:27).
"Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, "Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the PROSPERITY of His servant."
Psalm 35:27 (NKJV)

• Jesus became poor that through His poverty we might be rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
• Jesus said, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give GOOD THINGS to those who ASK Him!" (Matthew 7:11).
  Also read Luke 11:13

• Poverty is not a virtue!

• God told His people, the Israelites, not to maltreat the poor. He has a soft spot for the poor, because poverty is not part of His attributes (Exodus 22:25-27; 23:3,6,11; Deuteronomy 15:7,8).
• God does not want His people to live in penury (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).
• God has instructed us in His Word on how to walk with Him with our substance, what He has blessed us with–in order to multiply His blessings in our lives (Proverbs 11:24,25; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10).
  "The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself."
  Proverbs 11:25 (NKJV)

• I want to enjoin you to ask God in prayer to open your eyes of understanding as you study God's Word, the Bible—that you may see and know the truth on the subjects of the Bible you are confused about (Ephesians 1:15-23).

• If you pray the prayer sincerely and you are actually willing to know—God will open your understanding to see and know the truth (John 8:32).

• Do not read the Bible with a biased and bigoted mind.

• Be open and let the Holy Spirit teach you, He is the greatest teacher (John 14:26).
• No experience can negate the word of God, thus, let the Holy Spirit tutor you.
  "But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. HOLD FIRMLY TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD."
  1 Thessalonians 5:21 (Amp.)

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
Peace!