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(Pause and calmly think of that)                         

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by Patti Hedgepath Lusk                                        

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CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

 

     The book of Jude is a small book in size, but a large book in its value to the people of God.  It begins like this:  “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called.  Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.  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.”

The word ‘contend’ means to fight or to strive in competition.  We are admonished to do this earnestly, or with our whole heart.  Why is it necessary to strive?  Because there is an adversary who is trying to turn us and everyone else away from God and His truth.  Satan is that adversary, and he uses people to do his work – people he has already deceived enough to carry out his orders.

In verses 4-19, he proceeds to warn God’s people of ungodly men who had come into their company “unawares” which means secretly or without being noticed.  In these verses, he describes their ungodliness and their certain judgment.  Because of their influence and power to manipulate the weak, he begins in verse 20 to exhort those who are following Jesus Christ.

                Although evil is prevalent all around and pressing its way into the church, we can have a totally different lifestyle by following the instructions Jude gives us.  When we understand the Help that is available to us, it becomes clear there is no excuse for falling into the evil of the day.  It is our choice to succumb to evil or to succeed in truth.  It requires effort on our part and a determination to follow God if we are to keep from falling into Satan’s traps.

First, we must attend to our hearts and keep our spirits fresh and pure before God.  “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost…” (vs. 20).  Building ourselves up means to build upon our faith.  There are levels of faith and we need to go past the foundation.  Faith is not just mental assent.  It is a conviction so strong in the truthfulness of God that we surrender ourselves to Him completely.  Our actions are the fruit of that conviction and surrender.  We must keep building on our faith, from the elementary to the depths (or should we say heights) of God’s Spirit.

Hebrews 6:1 invites us to go beyond saving faith, to living and overcoming faith.  “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ” [basic facts concerning Christ], “let us go on unto perfection” [completion].  The Christian life is a growing process that leads us closer and closer in our relationship with God.  It goes beyond the facts of our faith to the Person of our faith.  The strength and degree of intimacy in our relationship with Christ is the strength of our faith.  When we coast through life like we are a regular person, we are weak in faith and have missed the privilege we have of knowing Jesus personally in a close relationship.

Next, he urges us to pray “in the Holy Ghost”.  Allowing the Spirit of God within us to pray through us brings results, for He prays according to the will of God.  “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”  (Romans 8:26-27)  Allow the Holy Spirit to help you build yourself up. 

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”  (vs. 21)  The word ‘keep’ in this verse means to watch over or set a guard around.  It means to keep an eye on.  When women go shopping, they keep an eye on their purses.  Why?  Because it contains valuable possessions.  As Christians, we contain the Spirit of God Himself.  We need to set a watch over ourselves so the love of God in us is not stolen away.  When we truly love God, He is more important than anything or anyone else to us.  That love, just like faith, will result in actions, specifically, in keeping His commandments as Jesus said in John 14:15.  “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”   Only then will our love for others grow, causing us to seek the best for them.  Guard the love of God in you, and don’t let it be replaced by self-will, for self-will blocks out God’s love and our actions will reveal that also.  (See John 14:23-24.)  Love is an action word.  It cannot exist and not express itself.

We are to look for mercy.  It is a wonderful characteristic.  It sees a need and has resources adequate enough to meet that need.  That is exactly what God has done for us.  In His love and mercy, He grants us eternal life.  As we will see, mercy is also an action word.  We are not to be passive in our pursuit of God.

The next two verses urge us to extend that mercy we have received to others.  “And of some have compassion, making a difference:” Having compassion in this context goes farther than feeling sorry for someone.  It means to feel sympathy and to express it by assisting them.  When we move into the action part of compassion, then we will make a difference.  We can sometimes change their circumstances.  That is not always possible, but we can give them hope through Jesus Christ and spiritual assistance.  If we are aware of the needs around us on a daily basis, we can meet many of them regardless of whether it is physical, emotional, spiritual or financial.  Sometimes, just a word will make a difference and give someone a glimmer of the hope they have lost.  So, keep your eyes open for opportunities.

“And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”  Many people are on the brink of destruction and don’t even know it.  They need someone to face them head-on about their sins and take drastic measures to turn them from the judgment they are heading toward.  It is not as easy to do as just speaking a word of comfort or encouragement.  It may take time and a greater depth of boldness.  However, the one who pulls “them out of the fire” must be sure to keep a watch on their own spirit and not allow anything to defile them in the process.

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”  What type of temptations can overtake one trying to restore another?  Sins such as pride or false humility can overtake the one rescuing the other.  Hebrews 10:12 tells us “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall”.  We must keep in our hearts and minds the fact that we are not able to overcome anything in our own strength, but must keep our eyes on Jesus and point the way for others.  We are here to be used of God to turn others back to Him.  “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”  (James 5:19-20)  It’s amazing to realize how many times we are told to get involved and turn people back to God, isn’t it?  It takes the truth to do it, and that is not always easy to present to one who is rebelling against it.

While we help draw others out of evil, it is imperative to keep that sense of hatred toward any stain or blemish that would make us unholy before God.  We cannot give in to the weaker part of our human nature and be drawn in to using carnal weapons to deliver them.  The ways of the world will not rescue a soul from destruction.  The scripture tells us not to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good.  If we take pride in our humility because we have “reached down” to help someone, it is false humility; and pride is a sin, too.  We have to be cautious and act with reverence toward our Holy God.

The last two verses tell us of God’s power to protect and shield us.  “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy…”.  God has the power and the resources to protect us from stumbling as we contend for the faith.  He will set a watch over us to keep us from falling into Satan’s snares and stumbling into sin.  We don’t have to fear falling, but we must stay on guard.  A security guard doesn’t live in fear of something going wrong, but he is watchful, so if anything does go wrong he won’t be taken by surprise.  With evil all around us, we must be on guard for wickedness shows up in unexpected places. Don’t let it creep in unnoticed.  If we will stay close to Jesus, we have no need to fear.  He will keep us.  The word ‘present’ in this verse means He will cause us to stand.  But not just barely holding ourselves upright.  We will stand erect with no blemish, no blame, no fault or shortcoming.  It is not by our power.  We must relinquish our power and rely on His.  He will make us able to stand in our place in His manifest presence, and He does it with exuberant joy.  It is not grudgingly.  We are joyfully welcome into His presence.

Verse 25 assures us of God’s qualifications to keep us in the face of any odds.  “To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion, and power, both now and ever.  Amen.” 

God’s wisdom is perfect wisdom - clear, unclouded from any imperfections and complete.  His majesty denotes His dignity, greatness and divinity.  His dominion shows His vigor, force and strength as shown in His complete mastery over everything in heaven and earth – “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come” (Ephesians 1:21).

Finally, His power is mentioned.  The choice of the Greek word ‘exousia’ here denotes, not only enough force to accomplish something, but also the freedom and right to use that strength without restrictions.  You may have the ability to teach school, but you also must have a certificate that gives you the right to do it.  God has both – over everything – the ability and the right!

As we understand the force of evil, we must also understand the force of God.  If we don’t, we will live in fear and never accomplish anything of value for the Kingdom of God.  Our eyes must be open to both kingdoms before we can comprehend our mission and be confident enough to fulfill it.  For the good of ourselves, others and the work of the ministry (to which every believer is called), we must follow the instructions we find in Jude and successfully contend for the faith.

   

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