Contending for the Faith
One commentator after another laments that Jude is possibly the most neglected book in the Bible. However, within it we find some incredible wisdom about the essentials of Christian living. Let’s take a deeper look at Jude, a short but powerful letter written by Jesus' own half-brother.
Who Was Jude?
Jude introduces himself as "a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James" (Jude 1). This James was the leader of the Jerusalem church and the brother of Jesus. So Jude was actually Jesus' half-brother! We find him listed in Matthew's gospel when Jesus visits Nazareth:
"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?" (Matthew 13:55)
Judas was a common name among Jews in the first century and was sometimes shortened to Jude. He probably went by Jude to avoid confusion with that other Judas.
The Urgent Message
Though Jude wanted to write about "the salvation we share," he felt compelled to address a more pressing issue. His thesis statement appears in verses 3-4:
"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you." (Jude 3-4)
What drives Jude's passion? The need to "contend for the faith" that was "entrusted to God's people." This faith is the Gospel message—the truth about Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. That's what gives our life purpose.
The Danger Within
Jude spends most of his letter (verses 5-19) warning about "ungodly people who pervert the grace of God." These false teachers believed in antinomianism—the idea that since Christians are freed from the law by God's grace, believers can live however they want without moral standards.
He describes these people with vivid imagery: "They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead" (Jude 12-13). These false teachers promised spiritual nourishment but delivered nothing.
Four Essentials for Contending for the Faith
To counter the false teachers, Jude provides four essentials for faithful Christian living.
Build Up Your Faith: If you want to avoid being deceived, you have to know what you believe. Contending for the faith doesn't only mean fighting against ungodly living or heretical beliefs, it involves learning and growing in your own understanding of God's love and grace.
Pray in the Holy Spirit: Prayer makes us especially aware of our dependance on God. When we pray, Paul says in Romans that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us because we don't even know how to pray or what to pray for.
Remain in God's Love: Jesus taught: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love" (John 15:9-10). When we remain in God's love, we keep God's commands.
Wait with Expectation: Waiting for the early church was a positive thing, it was waiting with expectation. Waiting is not passive, it is active, looking for the good in every day, every person, every situation.
Showing Mercy to Those Captive to Sin
How should we respond to those who misuse grace? Jude advises: "Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh" (Jude 22-23).
Our mission isn't condemnation but compassion—to help others take off their filthy clothes stained with sin and introduce them to Jesus who clothes them in the clean garments of God's grace.
Putting It Into Practice
Know what you believe - Dedicate time to studying Scripture so you can recognize false teaching.
Develop a consistent prayer life - Acknowledge your dependence on God through regular communication with Him.
Live within God's boundaries - Remember that God's commands aren't restrictive but protective.
Maintain an eternal perspective - Live with active expectation of Christ's return.
Approach others with mercy - When you encounter those living contrary to God's Word, respond with compassion rather than condemnation.
Reflection
In what areas of your life might you be tempted to use God's grace as a "license" to continue in sin rather than as power to overcome it?
Which of Jude's four essentials of Christian living (building faith, praying in the Spirit, remaining in God's love, waiting with expectation) do you find most challenging to practice consistently?
How are you actively "contending for the faith" in your daily life? Is your approach more focused on opposing wrong teaching or on living out right beliefs?
When dealing with those who have wandered from the faith, do you tend to respond with judgment or with the mercy and compassion Jude describes?
Application
Choose one of Jude's four essentials of Christian living to focus on this week. If you selected "building up your faith," commit to daily Scripture reading or join a Bible study. If "praying in the Spirit," set aside specific times for prayer throughout your day. If "remaining in God's love," identify one command of Christ you struggle to obey and take practical steps toward obedience. If "waiting with expectation," practice looking for God's presence in everyday moments and living with the awareness that Christ could return at any time.
Prayer
Lord, help me to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Strengthen me to build up my faith, pray in your Spirit, remain in your love, and wait with joyful expectation for Christ's return. Give me wisdom to recognize false teaching and the courage to stand firm in truth. Most importantly, fill me with your compassion for those who have wandered, that I might show them the same mercy you have shown me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
