When we read and study the books of the Bible, if we search long enough, we can usually find a reason that the books are written. The Bible is God's Holy Word, and although men were used to write the words, the Holy Spirit of God inspired them. We have been reading through the introductory words of Jude who described himself as the bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and his audience is the sanctified, preserved and called of God. Today we see in Jude three Jude's purpose for writing this short little letter. He wrote:
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 you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Notice first how Jude refers to his audience – “Beloved”. For any of us who have been in the faith any time at all, love is a natural fruit of God's spirit dwelling within us. These people were precious to Jude, and when he thought to encourage them, his driving care was his motivation. When we care for others enough to share with them concerning spiritual matters, they are indeed the “beloved” to us.
Next, look at Jude's targeted subject - “the common salvation”. Jude desired to write to these believers about the common salvation, and wanted to be diligent in sharing about it. However, there is a notable change in Jude's direction as he began to write. He wrote, “it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith”. In other words, Jude desired to write them about the subject of salvation, but the Holy Spirit changed his direction. It became a need to write and exhort them about something else. Although the topic was related, the emphasis was much stronger that he had to write to them and exhort them about contending for the faith.
False prophets and teachers attempted to draw believers in Jesus away from their beliefs. These opposing factions would deny the Deity of Jesus or say He was just a phantom or draw people into believing that they could not be saved unless they followed the law as well as believe in Jesus. False teachers were abundant, and Jude knew he must do something about it.
The word “epagōnizomai” is the word used by Jude. It means to contend, but if we look closely, the word gives the idea “agonize”. Jude says his readers are to agonize for the faith, contend for the faith, give a strong defense for the faith that we share in Jesus Christ. When eternal destinies are involved, and people's souls are in the balance, there should be no other motivation needed. People who are led astray by contentious false teachings and prophets must be resisted. Jude is concerned for those who might be drawn away by these pernicious words.
Our precious faith in Jesus Christ is constantly bombarded by teachings and doctrine that is outside the Biblical view. As we learn from Jude and see his willingness to be redirected by the Holy Spirit of God in that which he writes, we too should be driven to contend to for the faith that was once given to us. Others lives both now and eternally may depend upon our earnestness. Others lives will depend upon knowing the truth, and others lives may never know the true gospel of Jesus Christ unless we share it with them. Let's allow Jude's words to motivate us, and let us earnestly contend for the faith today.
Next time we shall look at what Jude has to say about these false teachers who have crept into the church in secret, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
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