Contend for the Faith

We are required, as believers, to contend for God’s truth. But how, why, when, and against who? These are the questions we will ask and answer in this episode.

Thank you to Falls Church and Pastor Sam Villalta for allowing us to share our message of salvation and our love for the Mormon people. Your trust in us is such a gift.

Contend with Urgency

Jude’s desire was to rejoice and rest in the common salvation of the saints. But he was burdened, however, with an urgency to declare the good news to all. I suspect he was driven by a love for the lost people of the world.

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.

Jude 1:3, KJV

His concern was not limited to the world’s need to hear the gospel. Jude spoke unapologetically about the need to stand and defend the truth against those who hate Jesus. These are men who devalued Jesus and the grace He freely offers. These are men who teach that the grace of God gives men a license to sin, to do works of evil. In other words, to become sinfully lascivious.

⁴ For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude 1:4, KJV

Paul spoke of these same enemies of God and truth.

 ²⁹For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Acts 20:29-30, KJV

Even Jesus spoke of the wolves and how we might recognize them, despite the disguises they wear.

¹⁵Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. ¹⁶Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? ¹⁷Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. ¹⁸A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. ¹⁹Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. ²⁰Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Mathew 7:15-20, KJV

Jesus continued by describing the disguises wolves often wear. Outwardly, they move, act, and speak as a disciple. But their fruit is bad. Inwardly, they are corrupt and consequently, Jesus never knew them.

²¹Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. ²²Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? ²³And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:21-23, KJV

In the last half of Jude, we see a stark contrast between the fruit of wolves and the fruit of true disciples.

And finally, in the closing verses, we see for whose glory we contend for the faith. We also see that those who believe will share in the glory of the King. These are the reasons we must contend for the faith with the urgency of Jude.

²⁴Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, ²⁵To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Jude 24-25, KJV