Have you ever tried to defend your beliefs and ended up feeling like you lost, even when you were right? Perhaps the conversation escalated, you became defensive, or you left wondering if you truly represented Jesus well.
This week, at Lakewood Family Church, Dr. Vorce launched a new series titled “Defending the Faith - an elementary look at Christian Apologetics". The inaugural message posed a question that every believer must eventually confront: why do we defend our faith in the first place, and how can we do so without compromising the very gentleness that the gospel is meant to embody?
Dr. Vorce began his discussion in the book of Jude, verse 3, where believers are instructed to earnestly contend for the faith that was once entrusted to the saints. The phrase “earnestly contend” originates from a Greek word that conveys the notion of an athlete rigorously training for a competition, rather than engaging in a casual hobby. Defending one’s faith is not an exclusive responsibility for pastors, theologians, or individuals who frequently provide answers during small group discussions. Scripture explicitly assigns this duty to every believer.
Dr. Vorce further highlighted First Peter 3:13-17, where believers are encouraged to always be prepared to provide a defense for the hope that resides within them. Notably, this verse omits the expectation of winning. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of being ready to offer a reason, coupled with meekness and fear.
We defend the truth because it is true, not because our ego is fragile. When someone disagrees with you and it hurts, that pain is often a sign of pride, not genuine conviction. Being defensive serves to protect your image, while defending the faith safeguards the truth, which doesn’t rely on our emotions for survival.
This distinction is significant because a harsh defense of the gospel can make the gospel appear harsh, which it was never intended to be. Jesus responded to challenging questions with clarity and compassion, whether he was conversing with Nicodemus in the dead of night or the woman at the well during the day. In Acts chapter 17, Paul engaged in reasoned discussions with people in synagogues and marketplaces. He adapted his communication style without compromising his beliefs.
Practically, that means:
Dr. Vorce reminded us that the individuals who should be guiding our children and grandchildren in defending their faith are not their teachers or online friends. It is us, their parents and grandparents. Children and teenagers often encounter genuine questions at school, in social media, and among friends, and they require well-thought-out answers from the people they love most before they encounter conflicting perspectives from others.
Challenge: Consider one person in your life who may have questions or doubts about their faith. Dedicate this week to praying for them. Seek God’s guidance to facilitate a meaningful conversation, and when the opportunity arises, approach it with clarity and compassion.
Remember, you don’t need to possess all the answers today. Your primary responsibility is to be open to God’s guidance and willing to be used by Him.
This pairs naturally with an earlier teaching on judgment and humility: "Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged" Probably Doesn't Mean What You Think It Means. Both come down to the same posture: truth without ego.
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