Jude 3 IT IS NEEDFUL It is not an uncommon thing to any of us when we are engaged in some task, to have that interrupted and have to set that aside in order to give our full attention to a more urgent need. If we are involved in that which affects other people, they need to know that we truly care for them and are not ignoring their interests. When we make a change, they should not feel we have lost interest in them or their concerns or cannot be trusted to carry a matter through to the end. When Jude addressed the readers of this epistle as "Beloved," he is assuring them that it is because of his love for them that he had to change his doctrinal subject to one of exhortation and warning.
The problem of apostasy had to be faced because of the immediate danger it was causing. There were those who were passing themselves off as believers, but were inserting their own ungodly ideas that were contrary to sound doctrine and the "common salvation" that all true believers have. Jude was probably intending to write about sin and guilt, God's love and grace, forgiveness and the new life of those who God saved. "Common" in relation to salvation does not mean something that is valueless because everyone has it as in being ordinary or merely of common interest. This means our salvation is shared by all fellow believers. Likely there is implied having "all things in common" with those who the Lord has saved.
Common faith in Christ leads to salvation for "whosoever will may come." Our "common salvation" is the same for any person anywhere. "Repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ" is the experience of any child of God. Their past may be different. Their culture, race and religious background may be very different, but those who God saves, "Love our Lord Jesus Christ" and they also "love the brethren," fellow believers who have been saved by grace alone. They are not trying to be saved, but are trusting in "Jesus alone" for their salvation. A new lifestyle testifies to the reality of their faith in Christ.
"Contend for the faith" certainly is a reference to being saved, but it also includes the whole body of truth that Holy Spirit has given us in the scriptures of truth. There is the exercise of faith when God saves us, and then there is "the faith" which we believe. This refers to the doctrines of the word of God to which we commit ourselves as believers in our Lord Jesus. These are the truths that are challenged by false teachers - "ungodly men." We are to keep the words of faith and sound doctrine as a guard keeps the treasures entrusted to him.
Every believer is responsible to "contend for the faith" by knowing what the Bible says. It is up to us to know the truth of God well enough to defend it against wrong teaching that undermines "the faith" and consequently misleads and spiritually injures others. We need to know the truth by actually practicing it in our lives and experiencing it in our own souls. It is the ungrieved and unquenched Holy Spirit who "guides into all truth" and reveals Christ to us. The Spirit of God revealed Christ to us through the Gospel when we first put our faith in Him. Now He continues to give us the spiritual understanding we need for life and service. We also contend for the faith when we do not get sidetracked by the opinions and/or actions of others. Opinions about "the faith" are not what we contend for. It is what the truth of the word of God says that motivates us to earnestly contend for the faith against attacks by ungodly apostates.
The people of God have been entrusted with "the faith" once for all. It is not up for change by us or by anyone else. Our responsibility is to know it, keep it personally ourselves, and make it understandable to other to whom we pass on the truth. Each generation of believers has a responsible role to fill in this work. Paul wrote Timothy, "The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."
There will be opposition from those who think we are living in a "post-truth" day. They will challenge us to be tolerant of other people's opinions even when they are wrong. They will condemn us for asking questions that need a sincere and honest answer. They believe it is more important to be tolerant of everything, than to boldly state the truth as the unchanging word of God. When our convictions are stated, we do not have to be belligerent and aggressive, but rather calm and assured of what we know to be true and promote. To stand up for the truth in Jude's day meant that many faithful saints died for their commitment to the faith.
So, there is assurance for Christians as to God's interest in them in the first two verses. Those to whom it is written were the Lord’s people who are kept by God for the Lord Jesus [vs.1-2]. These believers are called ones who are beloved of God, preserved (kept) through union with Christ, kept for Christ as a gift to be presented to the Father. In verse three we have the aim of the epistle. Believers by faith will earnestly contend for the faith in a way similar to those building the wall of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah. They had a sword and a trowel to use in their work and prepare them for opposition. The word of God and the faith of God's people go together. We are to "earnestly contend for the faith" ourselves, and build up ourselves in our "most holy faith."
Jude 3. “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.”
EARNESTLY CONTEND. The words are the same but are used in different ways. What an ungodly man means, is not what he says. The move toward apostasy is more open these days. And there’s going to be the devil to pay!
It was the common salvation we received at the start. It was a work of God that began in our heart. But there’s a move abroad to drive Christians apart. And we can’t give the devil his way!
The body of truth that was given to saints, Is referred to in scripture, and is called “the faith.” It has been given to us as an act of God’s grace. We mustn’t let the devil take it away!
The time has now come to stand up for the right. Against the spirit of apostasy all saints must fight. The children of day are stronger than children of the night. Stand up and resist the devil today!
Contend for the faith, for God and His truth! Earnestly press on, each gift you must use. Do not hesitate at all, for your life you must lose, If we don’t let the devil have sway!
It is going to get worse in this world where we live. Many are not willing: their lives will not give. Some will go through the fire and the sieve. But by God’s power, the devil will pay!
“Holy Father, whenever I speak about the devil, I am more conscious of my need of God to preserve me from his attacks. Give me the power to resist him. I know this is the only way to deal with such an evil person. I claim all the power of Jesus’ name in this day of departure and darkening shadows of apostasy. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”