Contend for the Faith

REVIEW - Jude is warning the church to safeguard the truth

Week 1- (WHO ARE WE BEING WARNED ABOUT) The greatest threat is false teaching from within the church… we are called to preserve the purity of the Gospel

Week 2 - (WHAT ARE WE BEING WARNED ABOUT) We’ll recognize these false teachers by their pride… we are warned not to be so quick to accept shallow teaching

Week 3 - (WHY ARE WE BEING WARNED) We will all face judgment, but ungodly acts and words may be judged more critically…  We are warned to let Godly actions and words properly prepare us for judgment

Finally today - HOW WE ARE BEING WARNED

Jude 3 (ESV) - Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

NLT - defend the faith  |  Amplified Bible - fight strenuously for [the defense of] the faith  |  Good News Bible - fight on for the faith  |  International Standard Version - continue your vigorous defense of the faith  |  Young’s Literal Translation - exhorting to agonize for the faith  |  Message - begging! - that you fight with everything you have in you for this faith

Martin Luther said: “If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved.”

Luther was saying if you’re going to call yourself a Christian then you have to fight the battle where the battle rages. And where it rages today, and I think all through history, is at the very point of the truth of Scripture. So for today, if you want to write in your journals:

BIG IDEA: We must be ready for battle… Godly truth is under attack

God’s existence, biblical authority, biblical authenticity, spiritual relevance, cultural compromise, immoral justification, a perverted Gospel, etc.

Ephesians 6:16-17 - In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God…

Paul likens the devil’s attacks to those flaming darts or arrows. Arrows that ignite everything they touch. Arrows that spread fear, doubt, guilt, disobedience, anger, lust, rebellion, anxiety, revenge, hate – the list is endless! It is not uncommon for Christians to experience these feelings/thoughts on a regular basis.

Satan will continue to fire those arrows, looking for a way in, a weakness in the armor. Once he’s found that weakness, it has the potential to spread like wildfire. It is faith—our shield and our protection—that will guard us from the arrows and extinguish the flames.

In addition, Paul reminds us we have the Sword of the Spirit—the Word of God. The sword is unique in that it can be used to block attacks from the enemy, while also it can be used as an weapon through counter-attack. In short, though it may be under assault, Godly truth refutes false teaching but simultaneously allows us to share the life-giving Gospel message of Christ!

Indeed, Godly truth was under attack when Jude wrote this letter and still faces attacks today. As he closes this letter out, he warns his readers while at the same time, encourages them in their faith and their defense of the True Gospel versus the false teachers polluting the church.

REMEMBER THE THREAT OF APOSTASY

The first mark of contending the faith in this passage is remembering what was and is endangering the church. I truly believe that the greatest danger to the church is not persecution. It is not restrictions on our religious freedom. It is not immoral laws that are enacted by the government. Because, as Frank shared with us in the first message from Jude, the greatest danger to the church is not from without, but it is actually often from within the church body itself.

The church has thrived under persecution. The church was emboldened by the courage of martyrs. The church has endured despite wicked and perverse generations changing the very definitions of right and wrong to satisfy their own desires and behaviors. 

But a church will not stand if it fails to keep and contend for the faith in the midst of Satan’s destructive schemes. Jude reminds us of that danger. Look at the following verses.

Jude 17–19 (ESV) - But you must REMEMBER, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

In these verses, Jude reminds us of dangers that were predicted long ago. Christians are called by God and kept for Jesus Christ to continue to boldly defend the truth lest our apathy allows divisiveness and ungodliness to contaminate, corrupt, and befoul the bride of Christ, the church.

He warns them that ungodly people (false teachers, apostates, charlatans) will slip into church unobtrusively and will try to undermine the faithful. And Jude reminds them of the things they already knew but should never forget… words spoken by the Savior and the Apostles:

Matthew 7:15 (ESV) - “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Acts 20:29–30 (ESV) - I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV) - Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

2 Timothy 4:3–4 (ESV) - For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

I have personally seen the damage of false teaching in a church. It is rarely blatant and obvious. Instead it is often subtle and may even sound helpful and can be share in a way that makes complete sense on the surface.

That is why what we teach and what we learn is extremely important to the health of a church. We need to know what is true, teach what is true and be prepared to defend what is true according to the Word of God. We cannot allow someone with eloquence and charm potentially present half-truths or guiding anyone into assumptions and presuppositions!

This is especially important in the case of young Christians who might be easily manipulated or confused by someone who takes advantage of their emotions and their desire to learn.

ILLUSTRATION: Maleia and Kirby

We should also not tolerate sin. To contend for the faith requires that we will, with conviction, stand up against what God says is wrong even in the face of opposition.

God is merciful, but he does not tolerate sin… there is a broad way and a narrow way… there is eternal condemnation and eternal life… there is holiness and ungodliness. If we do not contend for what is true and right and moral, then we will be guilty of tolerantly embracing every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14) and we will be allowing our silence to indicate indifference rather than righteous anger toward immorality and ungodliness.

We must pay attention to what is taught by everyone and pay attention to what others are doing. Jude shows us how to contend the faith in the midst of an immoral world with ungodly influences. We do it by living proactively as a follower of Christ, defending the faith and knowing the Word of God.

REMEMBER THE THREAT OF APOSTASY

IMPROVE YOUR PROXIMITY TO GOD

We must not think that contending for the faith simply means attacking false teaching. There is a place to oppose falsehood, but it should never be at the expense of our personal relationship with God. We cannot successfully contend the faith if we concentrate only on resisting opponents of the faith. As Ecclesiastes 3 says, there is a time to speak and a time to be silent and those times of silence need to be opportunities for drawing closer to God.

We must take positive steps to continue in the love of God not neglect our own spiritual growth. You are not being faithful by solely by showing up at church once or twice a week to sing a few songs, hear a sermon, or attend a Bible study.

If you are to seriously contend for the faith, you must be actively engaged in your own personal relationship with God—maintaining a maturing and growing faith through personal prayer, daily reading and study of the Word.

Jude 20–21 (ESV) - But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

It may seem that Jude is telling us to do four things in those verses, but he is actually telling us one main thing to do, and three steps to make it happen.

The main statement in those verses is to keep yourselves in the love of God. Earlier, Jude wrote that believers are “loved and kept by God.” God keeps His own and they must keep themselves in His love. These verses sound similar to John chapter 15 where Jesus told His disciples to abide in His love.

John 15:9–10 (ESV) - As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

According to John 15, remaining in Jesus’ love is related to obeying Him. This seems to be similar to what Jude is telling us. Jude provided three steps we can take to keep ourselves in the love of God.

The first step is by building ourselves up in the most holy faith. Paul wrote that the only foundation for the church is Jesus Christ. The “most holy faith” is the Gospel of Jesus Christ—this includes the teachings of Christ and the teachings about Christ. We remain in God’s love by continuing to grow in our understanding of the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The second step by which we remain in God’s love is by praying “in the Holy Spirit.” Our relationship with God is supported by prayer. Prayer is an essential part of our faith and of our relationship with God.

The prayer Jude mentioned here is not some selfish prayer that demands our desires from God. It is not prayer that treats God as a divine vending machine. To pray in the Holy Spirit means to pray according to the will of God – His desires and His plans. It is prayer that is motivated by God and which seeks His will. It is the kind of prayer Paul mentioned – praying at all times in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18).

The third step in remaining in God’s love is to wait “for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We focus on the second coming of the Lord.

ILLUSTRATION: Meagan and I and our courtship

To continue in our love for God means we will continue to long for the day when Jesus Christ will return. We must live with eternity in view as we eagerly wait for the arrival of our Lord and Savior. This is similar to what Paul wrote to Titus: 

Titus 2:13 - waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

We cannot remain in God’s love if we immerse ourselves in this world and cease to long for our future glory with God. Those who take their eyes off their future hope will find their love for God slowly waning. 

To contend for the faith means we must cultivate our own personal relationship with God by growing in our understanding of the faith, by praying fervently in the Holy Spirit, and by eagerly waiting for Jesus to return for us when He will welcome us into our heavenly home.

REMEMBER THE THREAT OF APOSTASY

IMPROVE YOUR PROXIMITY TO GOD

SHOW MERCY TO THE DECEIVED

The church must also show mercy to those affected by false teaching. There may be people near you who are struggling with the faith. There may be people in our church what are struggling with doubt or even hiding struggles that would lead down a path of destruction. What are we doing about that? What are you doing about that?

We do not have the right to ignore it or simply assume that is their business and not for us to interfere! If we do, we rob people of the opportunity to repent and to experience truth and freedom in Christ. This is not loving! Jude gives us the answer in how to respond to these people:

Jude 22–23 (ESV) - And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Jude turned to how believers should treat those who were influenced by false teaching. There appears to be three groups of people mentioned and a progression of how badly each group is affected by ungodly intrusion.

Jude begins with those who were least affected by the ungodly by encouraging the church to have mercy on those who were doubting. This group had begun to doubt whether the faith they had been taught was correct. Those who waver under the influence of false teachers should not be rejected or ignored. Jude explains that believers should extend mercy to them and be patient with those struggling with doubts.

Showing mercy here does not mean ignoring the seriousness of false teaching, but rather encouraging them with the truth of God’s Word, in love and patience. 

The second group was in even greater danger and closer to being captured by the teaching and behavior of the intruders. If this group continued on the same destructive path, they would be consumed by God’s judgement of fire.

Perhaps these are people who never made a genuine profession of faith, but they might if they were not overly influenced by false doctrine. However, there is still hope that they can be reclaimed, rescued from the judgment to come, and put into a right relationship with God. Their lives could be saved, and they could be snatched from the fire that threatened to destroy them—a reminder that false doctrine has serious consequences.

The third group is in the worst shape. They had already been defiled by the false teachers. Perhaps they had even joined with the false teachers in perverting God’s grace and denying Jesus as Lord. 

Pardon the graphic nature of the description, but Jude says their sin is that of soiled under garments. To be “stained by the flesh” means to be stained by bodily function. It is a shocking reminder that sin is filthy and foul. 

We must strike a balance between showing mercy to this group while staying out of the cesspool of sin. My parents used to caution me about hanging with the wrong crowd… trouble begets trouble. Those who are spiritually healthy should keep a close watch on themselves and show mercy with fear and reverence to those who may be caught up with deception.

We see in these warnings that the church should never ignore apostasy and blatant sin in the church. We should never treat lightly false teaching that may occur. We should never think that it is “not my problem.” It is our problem and it will be a serious problem for the church fellowship if it is not addressed.

At the same time, we must never be harsh and unmerciful. We need to prayerfully and lovingly help those who are under the influence of false teaching and who are heading down the wrong path, while at the same time protecting the unity and purity of the church.

REMEMBER THE THREAT OF APOSTASY

IMPROVE YOUR PROXIMITY TO GOD

SHOW MERCY TO THE DECEIVED

TRUST GOD TO SHOW THE WAY

The church must trust God to keep them safe and to guide them on the pursuit of His will. Jude opened this letter with the following greeting: To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. Now, Jude closes the letter by reminding us that God is able and willing to keep His own from falling away from the faith. False teachers threaten the church, but those who truly belong to the Lord will never surrender to such apostasy. They will contend for the faith. Of course, their perseverance is not due to their own strength, for God Himself keeps us from falling away. He makes us able to stand before Him blameless and joyful when Christ returns.

Jude 24–25 (ESV) - Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

There is a beautiful tension in Scripture of us keeping ourselves in the faith and God keeping us faithful in Him. How can both be true? I believe Jude is telling us that God gives us His grace so that we might desire to keep ourselves in His love.

In these last verses, we read that God is able to keep you from stumbling. This does not mean that you will never sin again. If that were so, then there is not one of us who has any hope of being kept in Christ. For anyone to say that he or she does not sin is to deceive themselves and to make God a liar (1 John 1:8-10).

There are those that believe that once saved is always saved—along with the circular semantic argument that if you abandon your commitment to Christ, you were never truly saved.

The point is, and feel free to disagree with me while offering me a small bit of latitude… Salvation is a three part process. You were saved when you confessed Jesus as Lord and were buried with him in baptism. But, you are also continuing to be saved as the Holy Spirit conforms you into the image of Christ . And, you will be finally and forever saved when Jesus returns and you stand in His presence with your glorified body.

God does not promise that we will never sin again. He does promise He will safeguard and protect us from falling away from the faith. That way, we will be able to stand before Him “with great joy”.

Since God is perfectly faithful, supremely powerful, and infinitely loving, He will not allow any of His faithful children to be lost or stolen. God will complete His saving work He began in you.

However, salvation is not a license to sin or to believe whatever we choose. If it were, then most of what Jude wrote would make no sense. For those who genuinely profess Christ as Lord and Savior, who are recipients of God’s grace and who respond to it with faith, they will never fall away. And because your salvation is God’s work in you, He alone deserves all the glory and praise, now and forever.

NEXT STEP: Let us not be Christians in name only… Actively Contend for the Faith

Do this by strengthening your faith and investing yourself in knowing the Word of God so that you will recognize and remember the threat of apostasy to the church.

Do this by keeping yourselves in the love of God, building yourselves (and others) up, and by praying in the Holy Spirit to maintain a close proximity to God in your relationship and walk with Him.

Do this by striking a good balance between showing mercy to those who may be doubting or deceived by sinful teaching and standing firm in your conviction against such teaching and deception.

Do this by simply trusting God to show you the way, safeguarding and protecting your salvation and completing His saving work in you and through you for others with whom you can share these truths.

Finally, my friends, remember, if you’re going to call yourself a Christian then you have to fight the battle where the battle rages. That battle rages today over the authenticity, the necessity, the consistency, the relevance, and the absolute truth of the Word of God. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier will be proven! WE MUST CONTEND FOR THE FAITH!