Bob Russell is senior minister at Southeast Christian Church.

A preacher friend of mine once attended an interdenominational pastors conference. At one point the ministers broke into discussion groups, and my friend met with eight other ministers from various denominations.

During the introductions, one of them identified himself as part of a mainline denomination that had just completed its well-publicized annual convention.

Attempting to be complimentary my friend said, "I appreciated the stance your denomination took at your convention. The majority voted against the approval of gay ordination. I was glad to see that."

After a long pause the other minister replied, "Well, I disagreed with our convention on that matter. I don't think anyone should be discriminated against on the basis of sexual preference. Gays should be given full opportunity to serve in the body of Christ. God made us all."

Many Avoid Controversy

My friend said what surprised him the most was that not one of the other seven ministers in the group took a biblical stand on the issue-all of them waffled. One even said, ‘Well, I won't oppose gays in ministry as long as my denomination allows divorced people to serve. It's a double standard."

Since the biblical world-view is politically incorrect, there's a temptation for us to disengage from the culture and avoid controversy. But the book of Jude encourages believers to "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3). To contend means to vie for, compete, challenge, argue and to state clearly what you believe.

Jude suggests we need to contend for biblical truth because "certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord" (verse 4).

Jude cited the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah as places where the vast majority "gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire."

No Mercy

Although Jude urged his readers to be merciful to those who doubt, there was no mercy for false prophets.

Using some of the harshest language in Scripture, he labeled them as "blemishes at your love feasts," "shepherds who feed only themselves," "clouds without rain," "trees without fruit-twice dead," "wild waves," "wandering stars," "grumblers and faultfinders," "those who follow their own evil desires," "boast about themselves," and "flatter others for their own advantage."

He called them "dreamers" who "pollute their own bodies" and "reject authority." He said they are "scoffers who follow their own ungodly desires."

Furthermore, they divide believers and "follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit."

Wow! That doesn't sound very loving! But Jude was contending for the faith.

A Lonely Stand

Judge Robert Bork wrote a convicting book about the rapidly eroding values of our nation titled, "Slouching Towards Gomorrah." He suggests we are emulating the values of a culture that God completely destroyed because of its immorality, demonstrating again that those who fail to learn from history repeat it. No wonder when nominated for the Supreme Court, Judge Bork was rejected because his views were considered too extreme.

If you dare to contend for the faith today, be prepared to stand alone. You will be labeled as ignorant, bigoted, extreme, and a hate-monger. But Jesus said "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:11-12).

Bob Russell is an accomplished preacher at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., and author of 13 books. His latest is titled "Jesus Lord of Your Personality." His sermons are heard several times weekly on "The Living Word," a nationally syndicated radio program. He also writes a weekly column in The Lookout, a magazine printed by Standard Publishing.