Kept for Christ: Contend for the Faith

 Are you ready to defend what matters most?

In April 2022, Jacob Kingsley was enjoying a Cincinnati Reds game with his wife and their 11-month-old son, Shepherd. Shepherd was strapped to Jacob’s chest, happily sipping from his bottle. As they sat near the field, Jacob’s wife nervously asked, “Are you watching for foul balls?” Confidently, Jacob replied, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”

Moments later, a foul ball came screaming their way. With one hand still holding Shepherd’s bottle, Jacob snatched the ball out of the air with the other. The crowd erupted. Social media dubbed him a legend. Shepherd? He didn’t even flinch—he just kept drinking. Jacob was ready. He knew his role, and he acted quickly to protect what mattered most.

That’s the image we need as we step into the book of Jude.

In a time of subtle deception and creeping compromise, Christians are called to a similar kind of readiness—not just to passively believe the Gospel, but to actively protect and preserve it. Jude’s urgent letter calls us to stay alert, rooted in King Jesus, and ready to defend the faith when it’s under threat.

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A Timely Warning for Today’s Church

Jude, the brother of James and a servant of Jesus, originally set out to write a letter celebrating the joy of salvation. But a greater need arose—false teachers had quietly slipped into the church, twisting God’s grace and undermining the authority of Jesus. Instead of encouragement, Jude had to write a warning.

And here’s the striking part: The threat was not from the outside world—but from within.

This is a sobering reminder. We often fixate on cultural opposition, but the most dangerous distortions of the Gospel arise inside the Church. That’s why Jude’s message is just as urgent today as it was in the first century.

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Three Truths to Help Us Defend the Faith

Jude 1:1–4 gives us three essential truths for defending the faith.

1. Know Who You Are (vv. 1–2)

Identity comes before action. Jude introduces himself with humility—not as the brother of Jesus, but as His servant. He writes to believers who are:

• Called by God – not because of their initiative, but because of God’s grace.

• Loved by the Father – their value doesn’t come from performance, but from His covenant love.

• Kept for Jesus – protected and preserved by God for His Kingdom.

If we truly know who we are—citizens of God’s Kingdom—then we’ll be motivated to defend what truly matters. We are not just spectators in the faith; we are participants in God’s mission.

2. Understand the Urgency (v. 3)

Jude had hoped to write a joyful letter, but instead, he felt compelled to issue a warning. The truth of the Gospel—the once-for-all message about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection—was under attack.

Defending the faith isn’t just about correcting error. It’s about living faithfully. Our lives must reflect the truth of the Gospel. If we don’t stand firm in it, others may be misled and miss the Kingdom.

This “faith” is not merely personal opinion—it’s the shared, unchanging truth handed down from Jesus to the apostles, and to us through Scripture. That’s why we must defend it with clarity, conviction, and compassion.

3. Recognize the Threat (v. 4)

Jude says ungodly people had wormed their way into the church. They weren’t easily noticed because they used familiar language. But they twisted God’s grace into permission for sin, and they denied the authority of Jesus—even while speaking about Him.

We must be discerning. Many false teachings sound spiritual, quote Scripture, and appear biblical—but they deny God’s holiness, excuse sin, and make the Gospel about us rather than King Jesus.

As one preacher once said, “The most dangerous teaching often uses the most Scripture—but never explains it.” If we aren’t deeply familiar with the true Gospel, we’ll fall for clever counterfeits.

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The Call to Courage

Just like Jacob Kingsley reached out to protect his son with speed and precision, we are called to protect the Gospel—not with fear or aggression, but with a deep love for the truth and for others.

Ask yourself:

• Do I know the core truths of the faith well enough to live them?

• Am I grounded in Scripture so I can recognize error?

• Where am I tempted to misuse grace or soften the truth?

Let’s be clear: defending the faith isn’t just for pastors and theologians. It’s for all of us who have been called, loved, and kept by Christ. We are part of God’s defense line in this generation.

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Final Challenge

Pray that God would raise up faithful defenders of the faith—men and women who live with courage, clarity, and compassion. Commit yourself to faithfully following Jesus, not just in belief, but in practice.

The urgency that compelled Jude to write still rings true today. There are people in the Church—today—who twist Scripture for personal gain and lead others astray. Be alert. Stay rooted in the truth. Live the Gospel.

Know the truth. Live the truth. Defend the faith.

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Prayer Response:

• Thank God for the Gospel and the faith you have because of it.

• Ask God to strengthen your understanding and resolve.

• Commit to faithfully following Jesus and standing for His truth.

Let’s not merely be church attenders or students of Scripture. Let’s be guardians of the faith—ready to act, bold in love, and unshakably grounded in King Jesus.

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“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…”

— Jude 1:3, NLT

Let’s take Jude’s words seriously. We are saved, yes—but we are also kept for Christ and called to contend for the faith.

Stay alert. Stay rooted. Stay ready.

Sunday Prayer: Contend for the Faith

Based on Jude 1:1–4

Gracious Father,

Thank You for calling us, loving us, and keeping us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In a world filled with confusion and compromise, anchor us in Your truth.

Help us remember who we are—Your chosen people, deeply loved and eternally secure in Your care.

Lord, give us eyes to see the urgency of our time.

Where deception seeps into the Church, awaken us to stand firm.

Make us bold, not with arrogance, but with conviction shaped by compassion.

Let our lives echo the Gospel we profess—pure, unshaken, and centered on King Jesus.

Help us recognize false teaching, no matter how subtle.

Guard our hearts from using Your grace as an excuse for sin.

Keep us from watering down Your truth for the sake of comfort or acceptance.

Fill us with wisdom to discern error and courage to speak truth in love.

We pray for Your Church—raise up defenders of the faith in this generation.

Men and women who will live with integrity, teach with clarity, and reflect Jesus with humility.

May we never forget that we are not only saved—we are entrusted with the faith once delivered to the saints.

Strengthen us, Lord, to live faithfully,

To love fiercely,

And to stand unwavering in Your truth.

In the mighty name of Jesus our Savior and King,

Amen.

Journaling for Spiritual Formation

“How are things going?” Someone asks us, and respond with a sigh, “Life is busy right now.”

We have all been there to one degree or another. Between packed schedules, endless notifications, and the weight of daily responsibilities, it’s easy to drift through moments—both joyful and painful—without pausing to process them. Yet if we’re serious about spiritual maturity, living with joy and peace, and walking closely with God, we need intentional rhythms to help us slow down, reflect, and listen.

I believe one practice that helps us do this is journaling. Before I move on with my thoughts, I don’t think journalling is right for everyone or that will be a life long habit. Since we are unique we will find certain practices more helpful than others. What I want to do with this post is to encourage you to give journaling a try, even if you have tried it in the past, because in this moment it might prove just what you need.

Journaling is more than a diary for recording events or a place to vent emotions. It’s a spiritual discipline that creates space for God to speak, for your heart to process, and for your faith to become more firm. Whether you’re a seasoned journaler or someone who’s never hard a notebook dedicated for this purpose, here’s why journaling can be an essential part of your spiritual formation—and how to make it part of your life.

Why Journaling Matters for Spiritual Growth

1. It Invites Self-Reflection
Journaling is a mirror for the soul. When you put pen to paper, you’re forced to slow down and look inward. Writing helps you name your emotions, untangle your thoughts, and uncover what’s brewing just below the surface. Are you carrying unprocessed grief? Are you quietly harboring resentment? Or perhaps there’s a spark of hope you haven’t fully embraced. 

Journaling provides a reason to consider your heart, which I believe, is a critical part of spiritual formation. By reflecting honestly on the condition of your heart, you begin to see how God is shaping you through life’s highs and lows. Over time, journaling can reveal the shape of your spiritual journey, helping you notice how God has been with you through it all. 

2. It Brings Clarity to the Chaos
Our minds are often a whirlwind of worries, ideas, and distractions. In this chaos journaling offers a shelter, a place of safety, that helps you filter through the noise. As you write, you may start to notice recurring themes—questions that keep surfacing, struggles that persist, or desires that are quietly taking root. 

This clarity helps you determine things like prayer, forgiveness, strengths, weakness, and areas that require more trust. By seeing your thoughts laid out on the page, you may sense where God is leading you. Journaling helps you move from confusion to focus, making it easier to know and respond to God’s guidance. 

3. It Chronicles Your Spiritual Journey
A journal also serves as a record of your walk with God. Its pages contain prayers, reflections on Scripture, moments of new insight, and even laments and desperate cries for help. Flipping through old entries can be a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness. You are able to see how a prayer was answered in ways you didn’t expect, how a struggle gave way to growth, or how a season of doubt led to deeper trust. 

In moments of spiritual dryness or discouragement, these reminders of your journey can spark hope. They remind you that God has been through the ups and downs of life and therefore you can trust that He is still with you, guiding your story into His larger one. 

4. It Deepens Your Prayer Life
Journaling has the ability to transform prayer into a real conversation. Instead of letting prayers float around in your mind, try writing them down. Pour out your joys, confess your sins, or write a heartfelt letter to God. I think there is something about seeing your words on the page that makes prayer feel more real and more honest. 

This might be controversial, but I have done this on an irregular basis, and have benefited from it. You might even try “listening” in your journal—writing down what you sense God might be saying to you through Scripture, a quiet impression, or a moment of insight. It is always a good idea to filter these ideas through Scripture to make sure your doctrine stays consistent with truth. I have found that this practice to attune my heart to hearing from God a little bit better.

5. It Creates Space for Wrestling with Big Questions
In my experience, faith is not a tidy package with all the answers neatly wrapped. Sometimes systematic theology makes you think that it is. The reality is that as we follow Jesus, we grapple with doubts, wrestle with theological puzzles, and search for meaning in suffering. Journaling offers a safe and private space to explore these questions without fear of judgment. 

As you journal you can write about your doubts. Ask God the hard questions that occupy your mind and weigh heavy on your heart. Reflect on a challenging passage of Scripture or a life event that doesn’t make sense. The act of writing can help you process complex emotions and thoughts, which in turn, can lead to unexpected clarity or peace. Even if answers don’t come right away, journaling allows you to hold space for the mystery of faith, trusting God to meet you in the wondering. 

6. It Unleashes Creativity in Worship
Don’t think that your journal has to be a collection of perfectly crafted prose. It should be a place for creativity—to doodle, write poems, sketch images, or compose song lyrics. Creativity often opens our hearts to God in ways that logic alone cannot. You might draw a sunrise to capture a moment of awe; you might write a poem to express feelings that regular writing doesn’t fully capture. 

Journaling engaging your imagination, which helps your whole self—heart, soul, mind, and strength—to be involved in spiritual formation. Don’t be afraid to experiment and let your journal reflect the unique way God has wired you. 

7. It Cultivates Gratitude and Mindfulness
In a world that pulls us toward discontentment, journaling can train us to see the good and to be grateful. This is the primary purpose of my journaling time right now. Take time to write down small blessings—a kind word from a friend, a moment of laughter, a quiet morning with coffee, unexpected provision. Recording our blessings is a reminder that God is with us, and help us through moments when he feels distant. 

This practice of gratitude journaling rewires your heart for thanksgiving, helping you see God’s hand in the ordinary. As you journal, you’ll grow more aware of God’s presence each day.

How to Start Journaling for Spiritual Formation

Ready to give journaling a try? You don’t need a leather-bound notebook, a flawless writing style, or hours of free time. The goal is simply to show up and create time for God. Here are some practical tips to get started:

• Start Small: Set aside 5–10 minutes, once or twice a week, to write. Find a quiet spot where you can focus—a cozy chair, a park bench, or even your kitchen table. 
• Choose Your Tools: Use whatever feels comfortable—a notebook, a digital app, or loose sheets of paper. If you love the tactile feel of writing, try a pen and journal. If you’re always on the go, a note-taking app on your phone works just as well. 
• Try Prompts: If you’re not sure what to write, start with a question or prompt. Here are a few to spark reflection: 
• What am I feeling right now, and why? 
• Where have I seen God at work in my life this week? 
• What’s a verse or story from Scripture that’s speaking to me? 
• What’s one thing I’m grateful for today? 
• Experiment with Formats: Your journal can include prayers, lists, letters to God, reflections on a Bible passage, or even sketches. Mix it up to keep the practice fresh. 
• Let Go of Perfection: Your journal is for you and God, not an audience. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or making every entry profound. Write honestly, and let the words flow. 
• Make It a Habit: Tie journaling to an existing routine, like your morning coffee or evening wind-down. Consistency matters more than frequency, so find a rhythm that works for you. 
• Review Periodically: Every few months, read through old entries. Reflect on how God has been at work and what you’re learning about yourself and your faith. 

A Final Invitation

Journaling is not about producing a masterpiece; it is about being intentional about spiritual maturity. It’s a practice of silence and solitude—time to check in on yourself (your heart, mind, and spirit), your faith, and your relationship with God. As you open the page, you’re creating an opportunity for your soul to breathe, for your faith to grow, and for God’s guidance to become clearer.

So grab a pen, find a moment of stillness, and begin. Let your journal become a place where your spiritual formation takes root, your thoughts find clarity, and your relationship with God deepens. You might be surprised at how a simple notebook can become a holy companion on your journey.

What’s one thing you’d like to reflect on in your journal today? Start there, and let God guide the rest.

Clarity: What Is My Political Obligation?

This is the fourth installment of the Clarity blog series, where I am helping us build a Christian worldview to navigate a few of life’s toughest topics. So far, we’ve explored spiritual warfare (relying on God to stand firm), the Bible’s trustworthiness (our foundation for truth), and how science and faith complement each other (tools for understanding God’s world). Now, we turn to a realm that often stirs tension: politics. The question I am seeking to answer is: What is my political obligation? 

The answer to this question is rooted in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (NLT) 

We engage the political process not as citizens of this world but as citizens of God’s Kingdom, in a way that honors King Jesus.

The Lens of Our Worldview

Imagine wearing glasses with blue-tinted lenses. Everything you see—trees, sky, people—takes on a blue hue. You can’t perceive reality as it truly is unless you swap the lenses. Our worldview works the same way. It’s the lens through which we interpret life—meaning, morality, decisions. A Christian worldview, shaped by faith in Jesus, colors how we see purpose, relationships, and even politics. Others might view the world through naturalism, Buddhism, or another lens, leading to vastly different conclusions. The key question is: What lenses are we wearing? Are they aligned with God’s wisdom, or molded by the culture around us?

In this series, we’ve emphasized that Christians use the Bible to construct a worldview that makes sense of the world. With competing voices vying for our attention, Scripture offers a firm foundation—including for something as messy as politics. 

Why do I think it is important to address politics in this series? 

First, it’s a discipleship issue. As Kaitlyn Schiess argues in The Liturgy of Politics, we must ask: Are we being shaped by the Holy Spirit and Scripture, or by a political ideology? 

Second, politics is unavoidable—we live in this world, and we have been given a voice. This means we need wisdom in the best way to use that voice. Our task when it comes to politics is to discern how to bless our communities while representing Jesus well. I won’t tell you how to vote—that’s between you and God, approached prayerfully. But I do want to emphasize the reality that how engage in politics isn’t trivial; it’s a reflection of our faith.

Defining Politics Broadly

Politics isn’t just elections or government. It’s the activities, actions, and policies that govern a community—how power, resources, and decisions about laws and justice are handled. This means that politics isn’t only about voting or debating, it also includes how we shape our families, neighborhoods, and society. For Christians, it also about living out Kingdom values right now. So, how do we do that? 

I believe it starts by remembering who we are.

Christians as Exiles

In 1 Peter 2:11-17, Peter calls believers “exiles” and “foreigners.” What this truth points to is that we are citizens of the Kingdom of heaven called to live as representatives in the world. Our primary allegiance isn’t to any nation but to King Jesus and his We can’t have a divided allegiance! 

Jesus warned in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters.” This means my U. S. Citizenship  (or yours, wherever you are) is secondary to my citizenship in God’s Kingdom. Our mission isn’t to “take back” a country for God but to make disciples. This mission is a slow, transformative process that shapes people’s worldviews. I think this is a crucial point to remember: Politics can’t forge a “Christian” nation; only disciple-making can.

Peter offers practical guidance for exiles:

• Live Honorably (v. 12): We represent Jesus, seeking to bless our communities—voting, working, befriending—living in ways that honor him, even if that leads to us being misunderstood or maligned.
• Submit to Authorities (v. 13): We respect human institutions, not because we always agree, but because Jesus teaches us to. We trust God’s ultimate rule, avoiding needless rebellion and violence. One of the reasons we submit to authorities is because Followers of Jesus will sooner or later clash the laws of the State, so we shouldn’t provide additional excuses for the State to use the sword against us (This is basically what Paul is arguing in Romans 13).
• Use Freedom Wisely (v. 16): Christian freedom isn’t license to defy the laws of the land but empowerment to serve God and respect the State.

In the oppressive Roman Empire, Peter urged submission and respect, not defiance. Christians built pockets of heaven amid darkness of Rome. How can we do the same today?

Prayer: Our Greatest Political Act

Paul teaches about Christians political responsibility in 1 Timothy 2:1-3. In this passage Paul teaches us that prayer is our primary form of political engagement. In a Roman world where Christians had little power, Paul told Timothy to teach the church to pray—for leaders, for peace, for godliness. Why? So we can live “peaceful and quiet lives” (v. 2) and so people “can be saved” (v. 4). Our prayers aren’t about crafting a nation to our liking but about opening doors for God’s Kingdom to grow. 

I think it is also important to remember that prayer isn’t passive—it’s active work. I think too often we fall into the trap of thinking prayer of prayer as a way to give God our thoughts and worries, but we have to get to work to make things happen. That is not the case! Prayer is the work that all of us are called to do, and through it God works in this world. Prayer is also how we wear God’s armor in spiritual warfare, how Paul sought support for evangelism, and how we engage politics. Alongside making disciples, prayer is our most potent political tool.

Representing King Jesus

Colossians 3:17 ties it together: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” We are called to represent King Jesus in a world that is mostly ignorant about him, so we need wisdom on how to do it. 

Yes, Jesus flipped tables in the Temple, but we are not called to flip tables . For Jesus, flipping tables was a prophetic act, not a tantrum—God’s judgment on a corrupt system. John the Baptist’s fiery calls to repentance targeted covenant people who knew better, not a secular culture. 

As we seek to represent Jesus, we can’t assume our society knows the Bible, the nature of sin, or the love of God. Our political engagement—conversations, votes, actions—must reflect Jesus’ love, grace, and mercy, rather than just engaging in a culture war to uphold “biblical values.”

The Big Idea: Citizens of Heaven

Here’s the heart of it: We engage the political process not as citizens of this world but as citizens of God’s Kingdom, in a way that honors King Jesus. Like the exiles in Babylon (Jeremiah 29), we seek our community’s welfare—blessing, not cursing—while praying for leaders and opportunities to share the Gospel. Winning elections matters less than living faithfully.

Your Challenge

Ask yourself: How can I engage in politics in ways that glorify God and reflect Jesus’ character? I believe it is more vital to embody love, compassion, and integrity than to win a debate or an election. Reflect on the importance of representing King Jesus in everything you say and do daily—let it shape your words, votes, and actions.

Tying It to Our Worldview

Our Clarity series seeks to build a lens for life. Spiritual warfare taught reliance on God; the Bible gave us truth; science and faith showed us complementary tools. Now, politics reveals our identity as Kingdom citizens. We don’t disengage or conform—we participate as exiles, praying and living for Jesus’ glory.

Closing Prayer

• Thank God for the hope we have in Jesus.
• Ask for wisdom to follow Him in all things, including politics.
• Commit to being a citizen of God’s Kingdom, blessing the world around you.

We’re here to worship, hear God, and respond. If you’ve got questions or feel the Spirit nudging you to follow Jesus, let’s talk. For all of us, prayer is our starting point—let’s honor King Jesus together.