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 says, “It was needful.” He is saying that what he is writing is not an elective; it is a requirement.
Jude is writing about “the common salvation.” Then he declares that it was needful for him to exhort us to “earnestly contend for the faith.” He is not saying, “I was going to write about one thing, but I changed my mind.” He is saying that there is no message of “common salvation” unless we contend for the faith.
Contend means “to stand agonizingly, seriously.” We contend for the faith when we stand for what we find in the Word of God. Every Christian should be agonizingly serious about contending for the faith.
Revelation 3:2 says, “Strengthen the things which remain.” We must take our stand for God, proclaim the truth, and cry out against error. Our faith was “once delivered,” but we must contend for it in each generation.
Contend with Convictions
Jude exhorts us to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered not the saints.” We do not need a new delivery of the faith, nor do we need a new faith. We need to contend for the faith that was “once delivered.”
We owe a great debt to those who have taken a stand for the truth so that we can know it. We may get by without contending; however, the next generation will be left with nothing if we do not contend. Read Galatians 1:6-9. We need to faithfully give to others the faith that we have received.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:8-13. Paul says, “We also believe, and therefore speak.” We speak it because we believe it. We can believe it because it comes from God’s Word. We must contend with Bible-based, Christ-honoring convictions.
Contend with Compassion
The Bible teaches that we should lift up the truth in love. The preacher must be unafraid to preach the truth. People who love God will love the preacher who preaches the truth. However, we must contend with compassion. Conviction without compassion is not Christlike. Our compassion should run as deeply as our convictions run high.
As Christians, we are not down on sinners; we are down on sin. The Lord Jesus came to redeem lost sinners. May we live the kind of lives that are devoted to Christ and given in service to others so that people know that we genuinely love them.
Contend Continually
The book of Jude speaks of our duty— “earnestly contend for the faith.” It also speaks of our danger— “for certain men are crept in unawares” (Jude 4). Men will creep in and seek to change what others believe is true.
They Crept in Unawares
Read 1 John 2:18-19. Notice that those who were against Christ were once numbered with Christian people. They “crept in unawares.”
Their Condemnation Was Foretold
Jude 4 says, “Who were before of old ordained to this condemnation.” God said that these people would exist. See also 2 Peter 2:1-3.
Their Conduct Should Be Marked
Read Jude 4 again and notice Jude’s vivid description of their conduct. Romans 16:17 commands us to mark them and avoid them. God has called upon us to take a stronger stand today because of the increasing wickedness of this world. We must protect the church, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Background Reading for Next Week: Jude 4-7; Isaiah 28:10; 1 Corinthians 10:1-12; Galatians 6:7; Numbers 14:1-2, 28-34; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 1 John 5:16; Revelation 12:4; Romans 1:26; Luke 10:10-12