Jude, Jesus Christ’s half brother, was well aware of a proliferation of false teachers who threatened the church, and he knew he had to address this evil and rapidly growing cancer. He wanted to write a simple, encouraging epistle to believers about their “common salvation”. But because of the serious threat of false teachers, he instead wrote a stern warning prompting Christians to “earnestly contend” for the faith (Jude 3).
The Webster Dictionary defines the word “contend”: to strive in combat; fight. However, Jude was not riling up Christians to be offensive or contentious because of the gospel message, but rather, he was admonishing believers to defend the truth that they knew and to refrain from error or compromise. In fact, Jude commands Christians to defend the gospel because it is constantly under attack from false teaching. Throughout the Bible, heresy or apostasy has always been a force to be reckoned with, and many servants of God contended heavily for it—even to the point of martyrdom. Today, nearly 2,000 years after Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, false teaching is still prevalent and growing. Christian’s must always be ready to defend the truth of the gospel (1 Peter 3:15)!
The thought might occur to you; “How do I earnestly contend for the gospel?” The answer is that the Holy Spirit will indeed empower you to do so. He will give you that capability when the necessary situation does arise. If we consider for a moment that our very own salvation was only made possible because of Jesus Christ; He “chose” us, we did not choose Him. Or another way of looking at it, we chose Him only because He “first” chose us (John 15:16). The same concept applies to our love for Christ. We love Him, because He “first” loved us (1 John 4:19). Both salvation and our love for Christ are only possible by God’s grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. However, even our precious faith is a gift of God, so that no one can boast on his own merit (Ephesians 2:8-9). But, it is the love imbedded in the life of the believer through the Holy Spirit that drives his actions. And it is out of love for Jesus Christ that the Christian faith is earnestly contended for!
I was moved by one of Pastor Pauley’s sermons and how he beautifully tied Christ’s love for His children together with the saint’s love for Christ. In fact, a believer can only legitimately contend for the faith because God implants that ability and desire in the heart. Additionally, we have motivation from the Holy Spirit, urging us to battle for the truth of the gospel. This is why strong Christians are unwavering in their beliefs, intolerant of error, and even, at times, accused of being divisive when lovingly presenting the gospel.
In many false religions, for instance, error is tolerated; “To each his own” is usually their motto. Unfortunately, even in many so-called Christian denominations, error is permitted, unchallenged, and often left uncorrected. When false teaching is not contended, it can delude Christians by tossing them to and fro (Ephesians 4:14), which ultimately can rob them of precious heavenly rewards (1 Corinthians 3:15).
Incidentally, one day all Christians will stand before God and zealously and eagerly hope to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). But, thanks be to God that He impressed upon us a love for His Son, Jesus Christ, that transcends all other relationships. It is this supernatural love that He gives us that makes Christians different from all other people. It is a love bestowed upon us regardless of who we are or what sins we have committed in the past. In fact, God also forgives our present sins and future transgressions against Him. He does this with an irrevocable love that is inconceivable to the finite mind. On a personal note, the more I become intimate with God, the more I abhor my own sin. And it relieves me to know that God gives me the tools (His Word), and the boldness (by the Holy Spirit) to earnestly contend for the faith! Amen!
Posted on March 1st, 2009 by Robert
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Pew