March 6, 2024
Praying Friends,
When someone you know and love comes under attack, you are willing to fight for that person with all your might; you stand beside that person or over that person to guard from further harm and danger. Or similarly, when something you own has great value, and it is in danger of being lost or taken, you protect it in whatever way you can.
The writer of Jude first thought he was going to write to the believers about the wonder of God’s salvation, yet he thought it more important to alert the believers that something of great worth to them could possibly be lost. This is what he said, “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 1:3).
The book of Jude is just one chapter but has a very important message for every believer: how to “contend for the faith.” This word “contend” is only found here, but it comes from a root word found seven times in our New Testament. It means to earnestly fight or to struggle for.
The Christian faith that we have come into through God’s matchless grace is the gospel. It has come to us directly from God to the early apostles, namely Paul. Down through the centuries, and even this very day, many have died defending the truths of the gospel.
How then do we contend for the faith today? We need to know there are real enemies of the gospel. Jude reminds us that the character, motive, and actions of those who try to corrupt the message are very much at large.
A good chunk of this letter (verses 4-19) is filled with how these false teachers operate and the judgment of God that will fall upon them. Jude says that they have crept in among us unnoticed, they are ungodly, they have perverted God’s grace, they are sensual and do not acknowledge Jesus as their Master (Jude 1:4).
Jude then goes into a history lesson, reminding them and us that God’s judgment will come on those who rebelliously oppose His work.
We need to read these striking verses and familiarize ourselves with the ways of these false agents of the devil.
How do we contend for the faith? Through unity. It is essential that we contend for the faith by maintaining unity. Jude says, “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 1:20).
We cannot do this alone. We need each other. If the gospel is going to be preserved, we need to join together and encourage each other in the things that really matter.
Speaking the truth into each other's lives will bolster our faith and inspire us to live faithfully for God. Spending time together praying in the Holy Spirit will tap into all the resources of God.
How do we contend for the faith? By remaining in His love. We endeavor to daily orient ourselves toward God’s great love for us. Jude says, “Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life” (Jude 1:21).
Waiting is never easy, but Jude instructs us to be patient and to rely on the mercy of Christ, which is like high fortress walls around us, keeping us in the love of God.
Each day when we rise from our beds, let our first thoughts be centered on God’s love for us. We need to accept it, live in the light of it, and enjoy it each and every day. Even when the tears fall and the trials come, let His love surround and guard your hearts.
How do we contend for the faith? Dependence on His strength. The ultimate victory in spiritual warfare is to realize that our strength comes from God alone and allow His power to work effectively within us. Jude says, “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy” (Jude 1:24).
This doesn’t mean we will never fail or disappoint our God. We are capable of sinning, and, thankfully, He is always willing to forgive. It does mean that we will not fall when we are living in His strength. When we depend wholly on Him and not on ourselves, we will stand victorious. Jude is telling us that God is able! He is able to keep us from stumbling until we stand before Him faultless and with great joy!
May God preserve us from discouragement and enable each of us to contend for the faith until He, our Savior, comes! Thank you for praying for our prodigals and for revival among us.
Love in Christ,
Bryan and Rachel