The title for our devotional this week is taken from the words found in the epistle of Jude, the third verse: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” I too sense that it is needful for us, the body Christ, to hear this timeless exhortation to “contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Every generation of Christians has been exhorted to contend for the faith, ours being no exception. Now I know that I am going to be skating on thin ice here, but please bear with me for a moment. Let us not forget that every believer in every nation is called to contend for the faith. No exceptions. Regardless if they live in a monarchy, democracy, oligarchy, or dictatorship, every believer is called by God to defend the faith.
Please do not mix contending for the faith with defending our constitutional rights as Americans, which I also believe to be important. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a political message; rather, it is a message of God’s redeeming love for sinners like me. Of course as Americans we should stand against anything that is in opposition to the truths of the gospel, or the moral standards or divine designs contained in God’s Word, but Jude exhorts every believer, in every nation, in every culture, in every generation to contend for the faith. Why is this important? “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
We know we live in a day and age of all inclusiveness that is peddling the lie that all religious roads lead to God. But for those who are called to contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints, we declare boldly that: “Jesus saith unto him (Thomas), I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) The apostle Peter boldly contends for the faith with these words: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) The Church of The Living God (1 Timothy 3:15) declares, “To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 25) “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17)
May the church triumphant contend for the faith that proclaims: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) Selah
Contending for the Faith Once Delivered
January 2, 2022 • Pastor Ray Viola • Jude 3, 2 Timothy 4:3–4
But Thou O Man of God
June 18, 2023 • Pastor Ray Viola • 1 Timothy 6:11–12
The apostle Paul writes these words in 1 Timothy 6:11, "but thou oh man of God” to his son in the faith, Timothy. These words are so necessary today for all men claiming to be followers of Jesus Christ. They are so pertinent to every father reading this devotional. Being a man of God in our modern culture had come under attack, especially if you are a father who takes his walk with Jesus and role in the home as the spiritual head seriously. The casualty rate of men of God in the church today is alarming. Pressures to conform to this fallen world system's ideology and worldly standards has caused many Christian men to cave in, with the consequences felt not only in the home, but in the church as well. Not all men who profess faith in Christ are men of God. Men of God are men who are confronted with the common temptations and trials of other men, but, by the grace of God, they choose to stand and fight the good fight of faith. Fathers, dads (and I’m speaking to myself as well), what are you teaching your children about loving your wife, their mother? What are you teaching them about the importance of reading the Scriptures and prayer? What are you teaching them about the importance of assembling together with the saints at church? Is your home Christ centered and driven or culture centered and driven? I believe that Jesus is calling ALL men of God, and in particular fathers to rise up and hold up biblical standards of marriage, gender and biblical fatherhood. It has been said that any generation of the church is only one generation removed from extinction. Yes, the gates of hell cannot prevail against the church, but the church can indeed implode if men of God fail to heed the clarion call of Joshua, but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. May that cry of Joshua be the cry of our hearts, my fellow man. And may it be the prayer of every man’s heart to be men of God not only for our life and children's sake, but most importantly for the glory and honor of the Name of Jesus Christ, to whom all praise and glory belongs. Our heavenly Father, who is the only perfect Father and husband, is our role model, brothers. May the Holy Ghost grant unto each one of us the power, passion and desire to be a man of God. And may the love and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ enable us to rise up and be the kind of father and husband that is a witness of Jesus Christ in an ungodly and unholy world. Love you brothers. Rise up oh man of God!! Selah
Portrait of a Virtuous Woman
May 14, 2023 • Pastor Ray Viola • Proverbs 31:10–31
Today is a day that our nation has set aside to honor mothers. Scripture exhorts children to honor their mothers and fathers in The Lord. So, let’s look at a biblical portrait of a woman who honors and fears The Lord God. In this case, a mother, a wife, who fears God and lives a life totally devoted to Him. Even a casual glance at this mothers lifestyle would reveal how womanhood today has drifted far from the biblical pattern, which is self driven. Beauty driven. Career driven. As you read these verses today, would you not love to have this kind of a woman for your mother? Your wife? Sadly, the consensus of our culture would look at such a devout and dedicated wife or mother as someone who was being trapped by some archaic religious mold that smothered her from freely expressing herself. On the contrary, this woman is the wise woman who builds her house because she defines freedom as serving God and pleasing Him. She is the godly mother who teachers her children by precept and example what it means to be a lover of Jesus Christ. She is the kind of wife that a husband boasts about because of her tireless expression of Christ like loyalty to him and their children. Her tongue is filled with the law of kindness. Not cutting. Condemning. She is industrious. Hard working. Others minded. She is frugal. She is a true homemaker in the truest sense of the word. She would fit the description of the godly woman in Titus 2.3-5. Motherhood is a high and holy calling. Biologically, women can have children, but only a virtuous woman can make a home that produces GOD fearing children and support a God fearing husband. The Holy Spirit declares, Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. So today, I want to thank my Lord and Saviour for a GOD fearing wife, daughter, and the many of you dear mothers and wives who make your homes a place where Christ is honored and His love and heavenly hospitality is put on display 24/7. Fellow husbands and children, Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Amen and Amen. SELAH
The Resurrection Changes Everything!
April 9, 2023 • Pastor Ray Viola • 1 Corinthians 15
There are six English words recorded in the bible that changed everything not only on planet earth, but throughout the entire creation of God. Those words are “It Is Finished” and “He is Risen”. Therein lies the gospel of Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, He has risen from the dead, and has ascended to the right hand of The Father where He now dwells as our Advocate and High Priest. But the work of redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ is not applied to anyone until they repent and believe in Him as Lord and Savior. The hinge upon which the gospel rests is the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The bodily resurrection of the Jesus Christ from the dead means that He is a Living Savior. The bodily resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ from the dead means that The Holy Spirit now dwells within and is poured out upon all those who call upon His Name. Faith in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead changes everything. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead we too shall one day rise from the dead (John 11:25, 26). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we are justified in the sight of God (Rom 4:25). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead we have access to the throne of grace and mercy for help in time of need (Heb 4:14-16). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we are new creatures (2 Cor 5:7) and can walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we can walk in the power of The Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we have been delivered from the fear and power of death (Heb 2:14, 15). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we have been delivered from the power of darkness (Col 1:13). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we will one day be given a new body (1 Cor 15:49-54). Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead we have assurance of His presence (Matt 28:20; Heb 13:5, 6) and peace (John 14:27) in this fallen world. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we have victory and can abound in the work of The Lord (1 Cor 15:57, 58). Reader, do you believe that It Is Finished and that Jesus Is Risen? Repent and believe on The Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. SELAH