Wk 1: Contend for the Faith

Jude 1-4

Before we enter this epistle, we must notice some fundamental facts about the book of Jude. First, the epistle is not an evangelistic letter. It is written to those who have their faith established in Christ Jesus. We can recognize this from the first verse of the letter.

"Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called" (Jude 1)

Jude details the threefold nature of the believer. 

     1. They were "sanctified by God the Father." The word for sanctified holds the idea that one is "set apart." The believer is set apart from the world and set apart to the Lord.

     2. They were "preserved in Jesus Christ." Jesus Christ is our protector. This lends to the idea that when we are believers, we are perfectly kept in Christ. No matter what we do, or what the world does, or what anyone says or feels like, we are preserved in Christ. This is the doctrine of the eternal security of the believer.

     3. They were "called." This is not affirming the doctrines of traditional reformed theology (like that of the tenets of  Calvinism), but rather the biblical idea of calling in which the person has the choice of their answer. It is an invitation that God has graciously given out to all mankind, and it is up to each individual person to accept or deny this call. 

Now, the recipients of this epistle are clear: Jude has written unto the believers in Christ. This is essential as Jude speaks on the subject of the false teachers who have strayed from, or never had, the Truth of Christ. He distinguishes the believers' nature from the nature of the deceivers. 

Jude never wishes to cause panic to his fellow Christians, which is why he solidifies their foundation in Christ first, and then details out his wishes for them in verse 2: "mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied," (Jude 2). Jude reminds the believers that mercy, peace, and love should not be added unto their faith, but rather, multiplied in their faith. It is not enough to have mercy and peace and love, but have it in abundance. With it multiplied, you can have more than confidence that Christ will protect you in the midst of spiritual danger. 

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3)

Jude had intended to write to the believers about the "common salvation," but he had been led by the Spirit to a new direction. Maybe you have heard your pastor say something similar before he preaches a sermon, "I had originally planned on preaching on X, but the Lord has directed me recently to preach on Y instead." Jude had become aware of the issues in the universal church, the false teachers. He introduces the key idea which is essential to the theme of being Faithful in an Age of Apostasy: "earnestly contend for the faith." 

Every believer should be ready to give an answer (1 Peter 3:15), in order to contend for their faith. We should be ready to fight and defend, both offensively and defensively, our beliefs in the Lord. In order to get to the ability to contend and defend the faith, you must study Scripture for yourself. Having a desire for the sincere milk of the Word (1 Peter 2:2) is not just for theologians or for long-term seminarians, but for every believer in Christ Jesus. Every believer has the faith, but it is our duty as Christians to share and defend it. 

This seems pretty strong for the early church. I mean, wasn't everyone on the same page? Not even close. This was only a few decades after the crucifixion of Christ, but as mankind is known for, they input their own ideas into the Word of God. Jude describes what these men did in verse 4:

"For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." (Jude 4)

These men crept into the church, and no one really took notice. This holds to the idea of wolves in sheep's clothing. These men might've even claimed to be "biblical scholars" and proposed themselves to be more knowledgeable in the Scriptures. Even though they were hidden to others, they were not hidden to God. God knew of their desires, and of their intentions. He marked them in His eyes. They perverted the grace of God (lasciviousness gives way to the idea that they used the "grace of God" without shame), using it as a license to sin (contrary to Romans 6) and denied the Truth of God and Christ (which is, to live a Christ-like life). 

The opening verses of the Epistle of Jude introduce the main purpose to all believers: having secure faith in an age in which so many deviate from the cause of Christ. These men who crept in unaware to the first century church are not unique to that time. The twenty-first century church deals with this issue just the same. 

There are many men who abuse the grace of God to live their own lives, as well as guide others away from the Lord in "the name of the Lord." Some of these men include those such as Joel Osteen, who use the "prosperity" gospel to create a man-centered faith (same with Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Copeland, and more "health and wealth" preachers). Or perhaps the ministries of those such as Kenny Baldwin, who use their position to serve their own, personal, sinful desires (same with Jack Schaap, Eddie Long, and more). The list of these people is not to undermine the effectiveness of their ministries. Do not get me wrong: many people came to know Christ through these people. However, they ultimately did not pursue the desires of the Lord, and abused the grace of God to serve themselves. 

Christians, we must be diligent to contend for our faith. Not just outwardly against those who fight against the Truth, but also inwardly. Crucify your flesh (Galatians 5:24), deny yourself (Luke 9:23), refuse to serve your own desires (Matthew 6:24). Jude gives us a command that is essential every second of the day: contend for the faith so that we may stay faithful in this age of apostasy.