Contend for the Faith

By Joe Keim

September 1, 2024

Jude 1:1-4 

Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that ARE sanctified by God the Father, and (are) preserved in Jesus Christ, and (are) called:  Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. 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. 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.

In Galatians chapter 1, men had come in and were teaching a perverted gospel. Paul was clear: if anyone, even an angel, preached any other gospel, he was to be cursed.

Today, I implore you, my fellow believers, to not just passively hold onto the faith that was once delivered to us but to actively and earnestly contend for it. Consider the words of Jude, who calls us to action.

Jude and James were half-brothers of Jesus. James and Jude grew up in the same earthly family that Jesus did. They ate meals together, played together, and worked with their parents. They were family. History tells us that Jesus' half-brothers did not believe in the deity of their brother Jesus, at least not in the beginning. But as time passed, James and Jude did believe, and each wrote a letter that would end up in the New Testament.

Jude begins his letter by writing, "JUDE, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James." Jude's letter is short, but it seems apparent that he was concerned for other fellow believers. Therefore, he warns his fellow believers to be on the lookout and to be aware that, unbeknownst to them, certain men had crept in and were turning the grace of God into something it was not. He warns and reminds these believers and us today to be on the lookout.

We cannot take for granted that all who claim to be Christians are true Christians. Not all are. Jesus said so Himself in Matthew 7.

Some are in the Jesus business for selfish reasons. They have learned how to talk innocent and passionate believers into giving them lots of money. Others love the idea of sitting in a seat of authority—it makes them look good and feel good when their line of followers gets longer and longer.

A true Christian leader is also a servant. A servant washes the feet of other believers and dies for his brothers and sisters. A true Christian leader has no agenda and is not looking for fame and fortune. He earnestly contends for THE FAITH that was once delivered to the saints: THE FAITH that preaches that we ARE sanctified by God. We ARE preserved in Jesus. We ARE called. This is the grace that Jesus and all the apostles preached, lived, and died for.

Be not deceived. Watch and pray. Read Scripture. Know what the Scriptures teach. Know what you believe in these last of the last days. 

 

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