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.
For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:3,4 NKJV)
Jude, the half brother of Jesus, wrote this small epistle. Imagine his life. He grew up in an ordinary working class home in the village of Nazareth in a large Jewish family. Little brothers often look up to and emulate their older brothers. In Jude's life his older brother, Jesus, became known to him as God's anointed Son. The are few secrets among siblings. Jude's testimony of his faith in Jesus as the Christ, coupled with his brother James', may make them the most compelling witnesses ever.
Jude says that he found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith..... He was properly concerned because he'd learned that certain men have crept in unnoticed... who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny
the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. The spirit which animated those deceptive "certain men" still exists and animates the enemies of Christ today. Our culture stands in stark opposition to the cause of Christ, incessantly attempting to redefine God and His Word in ways that suit their flesh driven purposes. This is not a new phenomenon, but rather a continuation of an ancient battle over Truth. Moral decline has always ebbed and flowed. We appear to be living in a period of acceleration of this decline.
So, what to do? Jude answers us with an exhorting voice -- contend earnestly for the faith..... The Greek word translated as contend is a term often used to describe the continuous struggle experienced by a wrestler who refuses to be overcome by his opponent. Do I put that kind of effort forth every day for the cause of Christ? I cannot say that I do, so Jude's challenge resonates in my soul.
What Christian efforts qualify for this kind of earnest contention? Of course, sharing the Gospel qualifies. This is God's plan. Saved people save people by sharing Christ. Also. sharing the Word. The bible needs to be on our tongue. Secular conversations rife with opinions can be often redirected by simply saying -- I'm a Christian and I believe the bible which says.....
In addition, we can support, with prayer, encouragement and finances, faithful pastors who unflinchingly declare the Word from their pulpits. Provide the same supports for lay teachers. Likewise, we should withhold support from those who are unfaithful to or oppose God's Word.
Missionaries epitomize contending for the faith. We should support them, but also every form of local missionary like Sunday school teachers, those who make communion preparations, and small group leaders.
Finally, we should contend for the faith by the daily witness of our transformed lives, always deflecting all the glory for our transformation to the One who saved us.
Have you responded to Jude's call? How will you earnestly contend for the faith today?
Copyright 2013 Mission of the Master Ministries, Inc. May be quoted in whole or in part without prior written permission if a link is provided to http://wordworkswednesday.blogspot.com
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