Day 10 – Contending for the Faith
(Jude 3 – 4)
The urgency and intensity of Jude’s tone in today’s passage suggests a seriousness of the subject of the conversation. The letter confronted false teachers who abused the grace of God and taught that it was alright to live to please themselves instead of Christ. The warning was against those who having gained access to the church were perverting the grace of God.
This letter is addressed to us today if we are called “beloved in God” (v.1). We must be certain that we are not among those who pervert the grace of God. Nor should we tolerate and encourage such people.
Our faith in Christ is worth protecting
Our faith in Christ is precious and worth protecting or guarding and when necessary, fighting for. Contending for the faith is a challenge for us. To value our salvation, the work of Christ on the cross, and the mission of the church. What we value we protect, defend and fight for.
If we value our salvation, we must embody and defend the values it represents. You have a personal responsibility in your time to contend for the faith. The faith of Christ which has been passed to you must not end with you. It must be preserved for and passed on to the next generation.
Faith is grounded on the person of Jesus Christ
Contending for the faith also means that our faith is grounded on the person of Jesus Christ and lived by His principles. We have to stand up against those who pervert the grace of God and deny our Lord and Master Jesus Christ by their lifestyle. It is not enough to believe in Christ and live by His principles. We must also oppose those who pervert the grace of God in the church.
This does not mean violent confrontation of those who have a different view from us. But a refusal to tolerate or encourage beliefs and lifestyles that are contrary to the teachings of Christ as revealed in the Scriptures. This is how we can contend for the faith which has been handed down to us by the fathers.
“ Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses“
1 Timothy 6:12
