Introduction to Jude

CONTEND FOR THE FAITH

The concern of the epistle of Jude is that some of those who professed to be Christians were really apostates. From the very beginning of the church age and on to this present day, the church has been threatened by heresy and false teaching. There are many people who live in opposition to God and His people. They twist God’s truth and seek to deceive and destroy those believers who are not aware of them and the dangers they present. This was, and still is, a serious danger to the faith of the children of God.

Some things we cannot deal with even though there is obviously evil associated with those who deliberately turn away from the truth who may be among us. Self-opinionated men are often quite skilled at using the right words in ways that are not consistent with what the scriptures mean in their context. We may not be able to deal with them in some form of discipline and do distance ourselves from them and the evil things they do, but we can "earnestly contend for the faith" ourselves. We cannot ignore that which is wrong but have to maintain scriptural principles while we wait for our Lord to act in His own way like He did in Corinth with those who were "eating and drinking unworthily." However, we can promote what is right while the truth of God does its work by the power of God.

Commitment and courage are what is needed to defend the faith when there is open and/or insidious opposition to the truth of God. God's word and the eternal life we have are of eternal and infinite value. Our Lord trusts us to defend the faith, His word and those who have eternal life, from all attacks. Many people twist the truth and seek to deceive and defeat those who carry the Gospel to those who are lost in sin. They will oppose the true faith of God's elect in any way possible. Our commission remains the same now as when it was given. We have been given the privilege of speaking for God to our generation. This responsibility is so important that we must repulse the attacks of satanic opposition by defending what gains have been made and pursuing the enemies of God by preaching the Gospel. It is "the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth."

Each human being is of infinite worth whether they know it or not. For their sake we must "preach the word, be instant in season and out of season." God's Gospel must go forth in spite of obstacles and opposition. It is up to us to defend it and those who "repent and believe the Gospel." They belong to our Lord and we are members one of another. This is our greatest responsibility in life. It is the most important duty we have because the consequences are eternal.

False teachers present a danger to God's people and the work of the kingdom of God. Ancient attacks were often obvious and at times, physically dangerous. Many of God’s choice people have died because of deceivers and godless teachers. They will seek to deny and destroy the credibility of the word of God by casting doubts upon it and promoting their own interpretation of the scriptures of truth. One of the tactics used is to seek to destroy the unity of God's people and challenge the commitment of believers who seek to "earnestly contend for the faith" by living a Christ-centered life. In any war, in order to repulse enemy attacks; offensive and defensive weapons have been used to save nations and cities. People have fought with courage to the extent of abandoning personal safety, and with total commitment to save their families. At times people fight together and at times as individuals. They will fight with all their strength to defend what is most precious to them from real or imagined attack.

The challenge of the epistle of Jude to believers today is the same as in the past. There are those who teach that Christians can do whatever they want without any fear of God "because he is a merciful God. He would never punish people for doing what everybody else does." Consequences for sin are not considered at all because the common practices of society, to most people, is what determines whether a thing is right or wrong, not the word of God. People even form their own opinions about the reality and existence of God. The God of their own imagination is who apostates believe in, not the God of the Bible. Also, they have their own ideas about God's word as to whether it has any relevance or value to them today.

Many have no desire for fellowship with God's people because they love the world instead of God. If people do not want to obey God, even though they profess to be Christians, the likely-hood is they are either mere professors of salvation or they deliberately reject what God says and are therefore apostates. Jude's letter challenges us to stand firm in our faith and commitment to God's truth as revealed in the Bible. How much do you value God’s Word?

How much do you value the fellowship of God’s people? How much do you value obedience to Christ? This is of great importance. Really, nothing is more valuable!

The times in which we now live Have opportunities which God does give To let our light shine out before men; That they might know we truly care for them Not just for their success or financial wealth Or their personal mental and physical health But that they might understand as a reasonable person God made them like Him for an important reason And that no matter what others around them might do There are higher and much more lofty things that they too Might accomplish as true servants of Jesus Christ For the good of God's kingdom in which we have been born twice.

But around us there are contrary winds that blow That comes from the pit, the darkness down below With the objective of deceiving vain mortal men Into thinking there is not much that is wrong with sin Because most people today think that it is alright It doesn't matter to them what it is like in God's sight Consequently, the downward slide continually increases And people yielding to sinful temptations never ceases But want to conform to all that is around Where sin and its pleasures do greatly abound And apostasy has men captured in its awful sway As from God they deliberately go farther away.

"Father, I know people have less and less interest in spiritual things as the pressures of changing morality and society claim a tight hold on their minds and lives. Please grant that Thy servant may not compromise truth in order to get people willing to listen to our preaching, and at the same time help me to not be disheartened nor become careless and indifferent to our calling. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."