Contend for the Faith

Writing to all believers loved and chosen by the Father and kept by the Son, Jude said that he had originally planned to write on the subject of salvation but felt led instead to address the serious problem of religious apostasy. Jude, like James, was a half-brother of the Lord Jesus. His letter focuses on false teachers and echoes Peter’s warnings.

“And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” 2 Peter 2:2–3 (ESV)

Warren Wiersbe writes, “Jude wanted to write about salvation, but the Lord directed him to write about invasion instead. False teachers were creeping into the church and going undetected. These are unsaved people, ungodly people, and unprincipled people who use grace as an excuse for sin.”

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 1–4 (ESV)

Like the Jews in the wilderness, the fallen angels, and the evil cities of the plain, they reject the authority of God. Their words are defiant and defiling. Like Cain in Genesis 4, they have no saving faith, but they do have religion. Like Balaam in Numbers 22-24, they use religion as a way to make money; and like Korah in Numbers 16, they defy the Word of God and the authority of God’s chosen servants.

Dr. Harold Wilmington writes in his Bile Handbook, “We are to “defend the truth of the Good News,” which God gave “once for all time to his holy people” in verse 3; or contend for the faith. Meaning defending the truth which involves both offense and defense, as exemplified by Nehemiah.

From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, 17 who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. Neh. 4:16–18 (ESV)

Dr. Wilmington goes on, “Now, in postbiblical times, the truth has been given to us “once for all time” in the canon of Scripture. We are not to add to or take from it.

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” Revelation 22:18–19 (ESV)

Dr. Tony Evans states, “This has two components. First, do not add to the prophecy of this book. The penalty for doing so will be the plagues that are written in it. Second, do not take away from the words of the book. Those who do so will have their heavenly rewards taken away, namely, their share of the tree of life and the holy city.”

“Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. 8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. 9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” 10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. 11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.” Jude 5–11 (ESV)

False teachers promise much but produce little, like rainless clouds and fruitless trees. Enoch had the best word for them: ungodly.

“These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever. 14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.” Jude 12–16 (ESV)

Remember the Word and build yourself up in your Christian faith. True believers are “preserved in Jesus Christ,” and they prove this by keeping themselves in God’s love. Therefore, God can keep them from falling.

“But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 17–25 (ESV)
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Today, know that we as believers have to be on guard. Scripture warns us to “test the spirits” to discern what is legitimate and what is not. If you are led by a blind teacher on spiritual matters, you’ll wind up falling into a ditch with him. Scoffers make a joke of the faith and divisions provide the devil with the opportunities he wants. All Satan needs is a crack to slither through so he can amplify problems and hinder God’s work. So, be on guard. Beware of the counterfeits. Testify the truth of His Word with courage and boldness. Contend for the faith.

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