EARNESTLY CONTEND FOR THE FAITH

Jude 1-3 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.

This brief letter was written to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called. The sanctified are those that are separated, and set apart from the world,by God the Father. As referred to here, they were saints, the same as those Christians identified by the apostle Paul in Rome and Philippi (See Rom. 1:7, Phil. 1:1). As faithful Christian saints, they were strong enough to withstand, and remain protected from, Satan's lure of worldliness. With this strength, they were safely preserved in Jesus Christ. They were called by the gospel message of Jesus Christ, and obediently responded by being baptized for the remission of their sins, just as those that heard the message of salvation delivered by the inspired apostles on the Day of Pentecost.

By inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, wrote this short, concise epistle. It is filled with knowledge and godly wisdom worthy of consideration by Christians of all ages. Whether this Jude was the apostle (Judas) noted in Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13, or Judas, the Lord's brother spoken of in Matthew 13:55, or even Judas, surnamed Barsabas, a leader of the Lord's church in Jerusalem, is a matter of sheer speculation. Neither is the true identity of his brother, James known with certainty. Leaving these speculative arguments to "bible scholars," let us delve into the scriptural teachings found in this book authored by Jude.

The mercy of God's pardon of sin through Jesus Christ, the peace of mind found in being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, and the pure love of God, and of all fellow human beings that was exemplified by our Savior, Jesus Christ, are three of the greatest blessings that can ever be bestowed on a child of God. This was Jude's prayer for those to whom this epistle was written. Mercy, ...peace, ...(and) love,are all wonderful blessings that belong to, and continue to inspire, faithful, obedient Christians of all ages.

The common salvation, about which Jude was writing to these Christians, is the eternal salvation found in Jesus Christ. Luke explained this in his inspired writing of the Acts of the Apostles. Referring to Jesus Christ of Nazareth, he wrote, neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:10-12). It was a common salvation because it was offered to all people of the earth, both the Jews and Gentiles. It was also a common salvation because obedient children of God are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28). And, again, it was a common salvation because, as the apostle Peter wrote, all Christians have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:1).

Christianity centers around faith - faith in God, and faith that He has provided the hope of eternal salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. Without this faith there is no hope of life beyond the earthly grave. The importance of faith in God's promised salvation is our only encouragement to sincerely contend for it, just as diligently as a devoted athlete contends for victory. This faith was once delivered unto the saints in its completeness. It was delivered through the inspired word of God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, and all of His disciples that He called to teach it throughout the world. As given, this gospel message is God's pure words of truth. Nothing is to be added to it or deleted from it.

Indeed, Jude tells us that all Christians should earnestly contend for the faith. The apostle Paul adds that Christians should stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (Phil. 1:27b) and, also to fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12a). The faith required by God of all His children, has been given; there will be no further revelation. To all of His obedient children that earnestly contend for the faith, God has promised eternal life in heaven. Fight for it; strive for it; contend for it!