“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” — Jude 3
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Defense is highly valued in the NBA. It’s also highly valued in the Christian faith. The effective Christian is one who can give reasons for what they believe. Many Christians believe — and that’s a good thing because salvation is given by grace through faith — but don’t know why or what they believe, and are unable to defend the faith they have in Christ.
To defend your faith, you must know God’s Word. It sounds simple, but to become a great defender you must know how to play defense. Certain principles are essential for both on-ball and team defense. If you don’t know these principles or practice them consistently, you will be a poor defender.
The same is true with us as followers of Christ. The Word says in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” You can’t defend what you don’t know.
The more you understand God’s Word and the Gospel of Christ, the better you’ll be able to stand against those who want to reject or mock it. We have been called to stand for Christ and contend for the faith (Jude 3, above). If we can’t defend the Christian faith, no one else will. It’s our job!
— Jerry Birch, Cleveland Cavaliers chaplain
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