Contend for the Faith

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. (Jude 1:3b)

Jude’s use of the word contend in this verse is very important. This word in the Greek is epagonizomai and describes someone fighting with all their might to win a fight. It’s the idea of two wrestlers locked in a no-holds-bared, fierce death match with no rules. It’s a fight with everything on the line.

In one corner stand the champions of truth, those who are holding true to the Word of God.

In the other corner are the false teachers in the world, who purposely bringing deception.

Jude’s language is not just poetic. It’s a vivid picture of exactly what is going on in the spiritual realm. He said that your faith is under assault and the battle would not be easy or simple; it would be intense.

Now, our battle is not against people, but against falsehood and deception. It’s a fight to keep our faith pure and uncompromised.

The world is constantly shifting their values. Modern unbiblical philosophies rise to popularity almost every day. It is in this mindset of moving away from Scripture that Jude was telling you and me to fight. He instructed us to fight for our faith, and to defend the Word of God with all our might.

Our faith is not supposed to be based on an evolving doctrine or a flexible belief system.

Our faith is not to be subject to our whims or emotions.

The faith that we have is to be solid and firm, resolute on the Word of God.

Jude emphasized that our faith was delivered once to believers. That word is hapax in Greek, and it means finality and perfection. It needs no alterations. It doesn’t need any amendments. It doesn’t need any improvement. It doesn’t need any modification or revelation added to it.

Practical Application

Make it a point to spend time in the Word every day. Begin every day in God’s Word and remind yourself of it all day long. The only way to contend for the faith is to stand on the Word of God.

Acts 20:27; 1 Corinthians 15:3

Common Communion

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation. (Jude 1:3a)

The first part of the third verse of Jude’s epistle alerts us that salvation is a treasure all Christians share. The Greek word for common in this verse is koinos, and it means mutual sharing, shared property, or the shared benefits of a relationship. God’s blessings are not for a select few ultra-religious characters. It’s not for the highest spenders or for the most connected families.

The word salvation, sotieria in Greek, carries and expresses the idea of deliverance, healing, preservation, safety, prosperity, and well-being.

God doesn’t have favorites. The kingdom of God is not about “big I’s or little you’s.” Jesus died for all, and salvation is a gift to all believers.

So, if you see a Christian thriving and blessed, rejoice! Since God is no respecter of persons, whatever He did for them, He can do for you! God is a respecter of faith! When you act on God’s Word, you will get results!

Celebrate with those whom God has blessed! Congratulate them.

One of the greatest ways to measure your maturity in faith is how we react when favor finds our friend while you are still standing in faith!

We should rejoice knowing that we are partakers of God’s goodness, healing, and provision, because those things are common to all believers in Jesus!

Practical Application

Ask the Holy Spirit to put someone on your heart that you are supposed to pray for this week and stand in faith for something they are believing for. Expect a change to happen in their life and celebrate when you see it come to pass.

Acts 4:12; Acts 17:3

The Greatest of These

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

1 Corinthians 13 talks about agape. The King James Version translates that word as charity, but it means God’s kind of love. It’s a love that is higher and more powerful than all our cultural and societal norms.

The world’s love is transactional; it says, “If you will show your love for me, then I will show you love.” Worldly love won’t give if it doesn’t get what it wants. That is selfish love; it constantly judges and withholds from the other person.

God’s love is unconditional and sacrificial. God’s love says, “I love you and that is all, so I will do everything in my power to help you as far as you will let me.” That’s the love God wants us to show to one another, especially in our married relationships. It’s a genuine love that not only endures the tests and trials of life but thrives despite adversity.

God’s design of love goes well beyond merely an exchanging of needs. It is sacrificial devotion to the person you are in covenant with. It’s a love that rejoices in serving.

This is the type of love that is greater than faith and hope, because it is faith and hope in action. It is seen and felt in every relationship.

Single people who want to be married should begin their search by examining their walk with God and their love walk with others. Then you should observe their emotions, intellect, and will. Do your souls harmonize? After determining they are born again and their souls are healthy, you should also consider if you are physically attracted to them. Physical appearance will change over time, but if you are connected spiritually and, in your souls, the connection will last much longer than anything physical.

Practical Application

How can you sow agape love in the relationships God has given you, such as your spouse, your family, or your close friends? Think of ways today that you can show the sacrificial God-kind of love!

1 Corinthians 16:14; Philippians 1:9