How do we contend as Christians?

I dropped into the live stream of 2819 over the weekend, something I do if I am not able to make it to church. 

Prayer had begun, and worship soon followed. I folded my laundry while listening to the music. The beats increased in tempo with each song. 

As the worship team chanted the words “Jehovah Gibbor, we are ready for war,” Philip Anthony Mitchell stepped onto the platform as the drumming continued. His book Contend had just reached #1 on The New York Times Best Sellers list, that victory seemed to propel him forward: “FIRE, Hallelujah, FIRE, Hallelujah, Somebody SHOUT.” 

The shout was one of praise. The shout was one of action, the shout was a rally to those listening, and the congregation replied in return. I felt the call in my bones, my blood singing to shout too. Echoes of his audiobook rang through my mind, and I wondered, is this a rally cry that we will actually follow?

Will this be the start of the American church waking up to walk out their faith boldly or will we look back on this moment in history with regret? How do we contend before it’s too late?

the last stronghold of christianity

Philip (PAM) said his trip to Turkey grieved him. As his gravely New York baritone recounted his view from the plane in his audiobook I understood why. The bedrock of the early Christian church had been overtaken by mosques as far as the eye could see. 

Over the course of time, Christians ceded ground to Islam, now their only presence was the artwork and frescoes on the walls of prayer rooms. 

Could the American church be next? PAM believes this to be true, and he points to Dearborn, Michigan as proof of how quickly that can happen. 

But the growth of Islam is not the crux on its own. The real question is: will believers hold their ground against its teachings, or compromise in the name of inclusivity and political correctedness as PAM warns? As it stands, the United States is the last Christian stronghold with the capacity and desire to spread the gospel worldwide. 

For now. 

And it will remain so if only we are to contend for our faith in every sphere of our influence.

The Charge

To contend we first have to get real about where we have gotten quiet about our faith. 

Contend does that unashamedly- a mirror that holds up complacency to the believer, boldly asking:

How long before you speak up?

How long before your faith is expressed outwardly for the world to see?

The time to stand up for our beliefs is now, because our King is coming back soon. And we will all be held accountable for the things that we say, but especially for the things that we don’t.

Hellfire awaits those who turn their backs on God, will we be brave enough to snatch them out of that fire? (Jude 23)

How we do that is not as complicated as it seems. 

How to contend practically

PAM knows his audience, and sees that they can contend wherever they are: 

Somebody’s struggling with their faith, or lack thereof.

A single mother trying to raise her children in a godly way.

Those working in ministry, but not seeing the fruit of their labor.

And the generation coming out behind us that will inherit what we do now, or our failure to take action.

Each one of these has a way to contend for the faith. Not in a multi-million dollar arena, not in front of a microphone and a camera, but within their own sphere of influence. 

And the task is simply this: do not compromise on your Christ-centered values. Do not put Christ second to a platform, to your skin color, or to a political party. 

Keep Christ at the center as you battle your internal struggles, at your dinner tables at night, as you stay faithful to your ministry and as you face messaging that does not declare Jesus as Lord and Savior of all.

Will you answer?

Contending is not a passive activity, but one that requires intention, perseverance and perhaps something more. Jesus said “And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). Our contending must also be bold, uncompromising and unyielding because the stakes are high. Because the time of salvation is now (2 Corinthians 6:2). 

As the clock winds down, and the return of our King is imminent, the time for lazy Christianity is done. 

Now it’s time for parents to speak the name of Jesus to their children. 

Now is the time for ministries to speak the truth from the word of God, now it’s time for the body of Christ to act, walk, and love the world as Christ loves it. Not by cosigning sin, but by loving them with the truth. 

Now is the time to contend for the faith Christ died for.

The call is to contend. Will you answer?