Wondered by the Word — The Bible in a YearSample

Contending for the Faith

Key Verse: Jude 3

“Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all.”

The book of Jude is only 25 verses written by a man named Jude, who refers to himself as a “servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James” that boldly contends for the faith. To contend means to exert intense effort on behalf of something. In the present day, we may often find ourselves contending for a certain political candidate or our position at a particular job. Yet, in this book, we read about a man who found it necessary to encourage the church to contend for their faith during a dark time that looks eerily familiar to what we experience in our world today. Some of the things that were happening are as follows:

• Ungodly people perverting the grace of God into sensuality and denying Jesus. (v. 4)
• Relied on dreams, defiled the flesh, rejected authority, and blasphemed the glorious ones. (v. 8)
• Walked in the way of Cain (who murdered his brother Abel) and used their gifts for the sake of gain like Balaam, and were rebellious like Korah. (v. 11)
• Grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires, loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. (v. 16)
• Those who cause divisions, following ungodly passions; worldly people devoid of the Spirit. (vv. 18, 19)

Contending for the faith while the faith is under attack is not an easy feat. But Jude walked out this assignment, by the power of the Holy Spirit. He spoke the truth in love to a church that desperately needed encouragement.  

There will be opportunities throughout our lifetime where the message of the gospel may not seem easy to deliver. Nonetheless, the gospel is always essential. 

Jude wrapped up his letter by encouraging the church to persevere and teaching them how. We are to build ourselves up in our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping ourselves in the love of God, while waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life (v. 20,21). This is what gives the believer the boldness to contend for the faith; which may be all that is needed to snatch someone from the fire (v. 23), and bring them into a relationship with Christ. 

(Written by Jennifer Lucy Tyler)