'Contending' is a word I don't often encounter, but I've heard it a good deal over the past few years. Various respected Christian leaders have spoken about "contending for the next great awakening" and I've been wrestling with what this might actually mean…for me.
The word 'contend' suggests struggle; persistently striving…
- To achieve some goal
- To resist some challenge
- Or to defend some principle
The root word translated contend is found on 4 occasions in the New Testament: Paul affirms colleagues who have 'contended' alongside him in his ministry (Phil 4:3). Judah, the brother of James, urges disciples in the young churches to 'contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people' (Jude 1:3). But the essential meaning is most clearly captured by Paul as he describes his own posture in Colossians:
"[Jesus] is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally." (Col 1:28-2:1).
This is remarkable since, as Paul makes clear, he had never actually visited the disciples in Colossae. His 'contending' was, above all else, in prayer. He carried an intense burden to see these young believers grow in maturity, both individually and as a community. His stated goal for them was…
"…that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ… so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments."
(Col 2:2ff)
These words make be pause.
- Of course I would love to see more of God's power at work in and around me
- I definitely want to see believers growing in maturity, becoming "rooted and established in love"
- And yes, it would be wonderful to witness 'the next great awakening'
Yet when I look at my diary, review today's To-Do list and assess my daily activities, "strenuously contending hard" in prayer on behalf of others may not obviously emerge as my compelling focus!
Making disciples is a joint endeavour. The Spirit of Jesus typically insists on working in collaboration with our prayers. (See Phil 1:19) Spiritual resistance is undermined, deception is exposed and faith is galvanised as we partner with The Helper by contending in prayer. Such contending is not casual, incidental or occasional.
It involves a consuming commitment to the discipleship of others.
It entails striving, resisting and defending.
This is not the place to merely pay lip-service to a concept, while we nonchalantly 'let go and let God'! From what we know of the apostle Paul, it would have involved persistent fasting and intense wrestling in prayer on behalf ofthose he deeply loved; "spending and being spent" for them (2 Cor 12:15).
CONTENDING COSTS
But the joy is so worth the cost.
There are few things more thrilling than seeing those for whom we care growing and maturing before our eyes. It's all the reward that Paul ever desired:
"What gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!" (1 Thess 2:19)
Companion Spirit, deepen my love and focus my energies with a persistent and unwavering passion to contend in prayer for community of mature disciples.
