Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. – Jude 3.
Although Jude’s brief letter does not mention his intended readers, it addresses specific concerns about false teaching that was threatening the churches. Yet, even that may not have been Jude’s original intention. He probably decided to write to encourage believers. However, an urgent concern about false teaching caused him instead to write this letter denouncing the false teachers and appealing to the Christians to contend for the faith. Jude probably wanted this letter to be circulated because false teaching was a serious problem for all the churches even in his day. Thus, he specified no particular church or area. Imagine, then just how much more important is his brief letter to believers today.
The believers were addressed as beloved, sometimes brethren, (also translated, “dear friends”), a term often used by those who wrote with authority to the Christians. (For example, Paul used the term in 1 Corinthians 10:14; Peter, in 1 Peter 2:11 and 2 Peter 3:1; John, in 1 John 2:7 and 3:2). Jude had wanted to write a joyous letter to believers about the salvation we share, that is, a letter about the Christian faith that he and all believers had in common. Instead, Jude had to set that idea aside because a much more urgent and unhappy topic needed to be addressed. False teachers were threatening the churches, endangering the believers’ faith.
According to a majority of commentaries I have referenced, the Greek word for “contend,” epagonizesthai, occurs only here in the New Testament. Often it is used in secular literature to describe the intense struggle in an athletic contest. Apparently Jude was in agreement with the Apostle Paul in his allegories used concerning athletes. Jude called the believers to action, to contend for the faith. “Contending” would not be easy; it called for hard work, diligent study, willingness to stand against society’s desire to water down the gospel, speaking up for the truth and bearing the burden of interpreting the timeless truth to a changing society. The believers could not (and would never be able to) sit back and idly enjoy the mercy, peace, and love of their faith as he wrote in verse 2. Rather, their Christian faith must be defended against the onslaught of false teaching.
“The faith” refers to the entire body of beliefs taught by the apostles and held by the Christians (see Acts 2:42). The teachings of Christ and his apostles had been once for all (without change to the content) entrusted to the saints (thus, to all believers). All Christians had been entrusted with the faith, to keep it pure and to teach it to others. Therefore, all Christians should stand ready to defend the faith as they would defend any prized possession.
Jude emphasized the important relationship between correct doctrine and true faith. The truth of the Bible must not be compromised because it gives us the real facts about Jesus and salvation. The Bible is inspired by God and should never be twisted or manipulated.
So, how do ordinary Christians contend for the truth today? Here are some ideas that are suggested for contemplating and meditating on:
- It is every Christian’s job to study the Bible. Don’t ever imagine that pastors and seminary professors hold a monopoly on this task. Without study, you cannot know what to contend for.
- Knowledge in the brain is only part of contending for truth. Prayer is vital. God gives the Holy Spirit as a teacher. Unattached to God, you may know everything, but understand nothing.
- Many private interpretations fracture the truth of the gospel; Christians must remain unified on the essentials. Associate with a church that loves God and encourages learning. Then use your common resources for the hard work of contending. Lone crusaders invariably create hostile splinter groups.
- Truth must be served as well as studied. Demonstrate the truth by working for it. Build a house, organize a fun night, start a food pantry, help with youth—all in the name of Christ, the Truth.
In closing this short lesson, just remember that there are certain doctrines that we should most definitely contend for, those that are central to our faith and salvation (such as the Trinity, the deity of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, atonement, etc.). On others we can agree to disagree in love, (such as Calvinism, Arminianism, charismatic issues, methods for spiritual growth, spiritual disciplines, etc.).
As Christians, followers and disciples of Christ Jesus, it is our duty to make sure we are not complacent in the midst of so many false teachings.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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