Defend The Faith

Some people might look at this title and wonder what it means to defend the faith. What faith? Or, maybe your not sure what your faith is really based upon. A defense of the faith, or why you're a Christian, is basically being able to tell people why you believe in Christ or why you are a Christian. In our American society, Christianity takes a beating every day. Around the world, Christians are dying because of their faith in Jesus or because they are Christians. The gospel message is all about what Jesus did for us. He died in our place to pay the debt and price for our sin and rose again to new life that we too may have a new, eternal life. Christians should be excited about this and eager to share this good news.

But let's come back to the good ole USA; the culture in this country has made an extreme shift toward secularism in the last 50-60 years. It has been a slow but steady move in that direction. It has been so subtle that some actually believe this is still a Christian country but that couldn't be farther from the truth. It is so obvious to see just from the reactions of people when the name Jesus is mentioned or maybe the rolling of the eyes when you tell someone you are a Christian (someone who is not saved). Another indicator are the strict secular attitudes of our major universities and college campuses. Even at the lower levels of the public educational systems, it is so prevalent and easy to see.

So, we face it every day when we go to work, to the gym, to the store and to school. But does that mean we stick our heads in the sand and hide the fact that we are a Christian? I sure hope not. One of the biggest problems in the Church these days is most Christians have not spent enough time reading or studying the Bible. They don't spend time a group Bible study or they are in one but they don't study the Bible, they talk about a book someone wrote. Rick Warren's books, all the Purpose Driven stuff and some that followed, were very popular small group discussion tools. Other authors of Christian topics have also been used in these type of settings. But what about studying the Bible in a Bible study? Although the quote and stat below is six years old, I can't imagine it has improved and if it has it wouldn't be by much.

In a fresh study of "Bible engagement", LifeWay Research surveyed more than 2,900 Protestant churchgoers and found that while 90 percent "desire to please and honor Jesus in all I do," only 19 percent personally read the Bible every day.  -Jeremy Weber,  Christianity Today   September 7, 2012

When Some of these Christians are asked a Bible question, they freeze because they don't know the answer and then don't know how to say, "I don't know but I will find out and get back to you." That's the best answer you can give anyone if you don't know. Regardless of how much time we spend in God's word, this could easily happen to any of us and that is the best answer. But what do we do in defense of our faith?

For the Bible student or person who reads the Bible consistently, there will always be a time when someone will challenge them concerning their Christian faith. I'm sure many of us have encountered a skeptic at one point in our Christian life. Most of these are not really looking for an answer, they simply want to make you look stupid or poke imaginary holes in your faith. A mature Bible reading Christian will be able to spot this and put an end to the questions. He/she will be able to politely end the discussion letting the skeptic know they are not seriously interested in knowing anything about Jesus but simply trying to poke holes in Christianity. I have had to do this before and it usually ends the conversation.

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.  But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.           1 Pet 3:15-16

 Jehovah's Witness love to knock on doors and question Christians about the trinity or Jesus as the Son of God. They have been trained on specific questions to ask or things to say. A Christian who is a Bible student will see right through these attempts to make Jesus and our faith in Him look silly. In these cases, the JW may be more interested in arguing a point but we have to be mature enough to recognize this and not get caught in the trap. It's not about winning an argument, it's about winning a soul. Give them the true gospel, not an argument.

Other cults will do this and use similar techniques; Mormons will also knock on your door and insist that there are discrepancies in the Bible and that is why they have the book of Mormon. They will tell you that the Apostle John never died or they might want to attempt to tell you about the burning in their bosom. Years ago, I encountered two young Mormon missionaries on my front porch one day and they insisted there are contradictions in the Bible. So, I asked them to give me one and they did. After I asked them to show me one, I realized I better be able to explain in thoroughly and properly or I would be the one who was clueless. It was an easy explanation; I was actually surprised at the scripture they thought was a contradiction and how easy the explanation was. And then, I asked why they would think it was a contradiction.

They gave me a half hearted explanation and I used the opportunity to tell them about the real Jesus and what the scripture in question was saying when tied into the context of the passage. From that point forward, we had a good conversation and they appeared to be listening and taking it in. They wouldn't break although they had bent quite a bit. That was alright because God had allowed me to plant some seeds.

Maybe a person at work has a lot of questions about Jesus or the Christian faith. This person might be going through some problems or issues at home or some other part of their life. It's been my experience that Christians in the work place are always a target for information when co-workers are struggling with something. We gain the trust of these people and they are attracted to us like a magnet when the problems start. They need to know how to get through it, how to handle it or just what to do. They know we have answers and they think we can help. It is the perfect time to be there for them and be able to share with them why we believe what we believe and how big our God really is. I've had this opportunity more than once.

Whatever the circumstance, we must always be prepared for the moment when we will be asked to defend the faith. It might be as blunt as, "Why do you believe that nonsense. It's nothing more than a fairy tale and people who fall for that are just plain gullible." God can be seen all around us. He is visible in the creation and in our lives. One of the easiest ways I can tell people about God's existence in my life is to share my testimony with them. I've had other Christians look at me with their jaw dropped and say, "I could have never imagined you that way." That's a compliment to Jesus because He's the one who changed me.

We should be more interested, or eager, in knowing how to defend our faith in Jesus than hiding it from the world. Another issue which pops up a lot in the Church is other Christians saying we shouldn't be so critical of or judgmental to others or those who attack our Christianity. When a person begins to share something about a cult or how to share Jesus with them, they are quick to tell us we should just leave them alone. Statements like, "We just need to be concerned with what we are doing" or "It's not our place to tell them they are wrong." Really? I have heard these statements and I just shake my head in disbelief. A sense of political correctness has crept into the Church which says we need to let those people alone.

I heard an analogy years ago I always liked to use in these cases. If you're aware of a doctor who is dispensing poison instead of medication, won't you tell others about him? It's the same thing; those who might be spreading a false teaching or gospel are dispensing poison and not the real thing. It will lead people down a wrong path and not to Jesus. That's a prescription to death, not life.

Don't allow anyone to discourage you with this attitude or with these comments. If you're aware of a movement or cult making the rounds in your area, warn people. Don't be a harsh critic, just explain the issues and why it is not Biblical. Some people have been caught up in some abhorrent movements and teachings because nobody took the time to warn them. We must be the watchmen because the enemy is always on the prowl looking to destroy someone (paraphrase 1 Pet 5:8). Be a Berean and study the word, be ready to defend your faith in Jesus and always be ready to tell those who are not saved all about Jesus and what he has done in your life and the lives of others.

Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people.  Jude 3