It is remarkable that the only occasion in which the words “most holy” are used in the New Testament is in giving its character to our Faith, not, of course, to its subjective power as an inward quality, but to the common belief which, as Christians, we profess. The truth which, as a system, we have received from God is (mark the word) “most holy”. It is “the faith once delivered to the saints” and for which we are commanded to contend earnestly (see Jude 3, 20).
When we seize the fact that this faith is esteemed by God as “most holy” we cannot fail to regard it as a treasure of supreme value.
The defence of it calls for “the whole armour of God” inasmuch as the great enemy—the devil—ceases not to resist, to overturn, and to undermine, with devices the most subtle, “the faith of God’s elect”. Our contention can be maintained only by divine weapons. We are strong in the Lord only when we carry the panoply of God in its completeness, and when, along with this, we “pray with all prayer”. We are then safe and victorious. Not otherwise. But to contend signifies a struggle. It means conflict, perseverance, tenacity, purpose of hearts and true devotedness to the Lord.
The treasure is “most holy”. It is worthy of supreme affection. It calls for genuine consecration of heart and soul.
No citadel ever claimed such a strenuous defence, nor was assailed by so unscrupulous a foe.
Do we grasp the most holiness of our faith? Do we see that it stands out as Satan’s one point of attack? Are we bent on maintaining, even to death, the inviolability of that which is so unspeakably valuable to God? Have the words “contend earnestly” weighed with our conscience as they should?
“Your most holy faith” is anything but “a cunningly devised fable”, or a matter of very minor moment. This faith may not be dragged in the mire; may not be flung to dogs, to evil-workers, or to the concision, may not be polluted, nor perverted, nor prostituted; may not be kicked about as a football, as a thing despicable and beneath notice. It is “most holy”, and its essential holiness God will eventually prove; for just as its perfect Witness emerged in resurrection from “the contradiction of sinners against Himself”, so, surely, will the faith itself receive divine and full vindication in God’s good time. Meanwhile may each and every saint charge himself with its defence, and seek, in the torrent of all contention, to build each other on our “most holy faith”, while we look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.