Contend for the Faith: Day 2
“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” - Jude 1:3-4
What does it mean to contend for the faith? To gain a better perspective on what Jude is conveying here, let us evaluate the word choice; contend. Contend = to strive or vie in a contest or rivalry or against difficulties. In Greek, Jude uses the word “epagōnizesthai” Which translates “to contend strenuously in defense of” or “to contend, fight..” Why break down Jude’s word choice here? Simply for us to realize that Jude’s call is not passive or inactive. Rather, he is calling us to actively fight for the faith, uphold the values of the faith, and hold firm to the message that was originally preached. Why would Jude feel the need to write such a strong warning/call to action?
“For certain people have crept in unnoticed….. who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality.” Since the beginning stages of the early church, there has always been an underlying mission to undermine the ministry of the gospel. A tale as old as time itself. Since the garden, Satan has sought to wage war against God and his way. It is no different today. There will always be opposition to the message of the cross. Now, clear opposition is not the concern that Jude is addressing. This is because straight opposition is clear for anyone to see. It is obvious. Rather, what Jude is writing to warn is not clear opposition but internal deception. People who sit among us and take the message of the grace of God and twist it ever so slightly. This often looks a lot like antinomianism, which means “anti-law.” A belief that through the grace of God, we no longer have to abide by the law or any precepts and thus can live however we desire and God will still cover it all at the end of the day. While the grace of God is sufficient to cover any sins past, present, and future, this does not mean that grace is a permit to go about our lives freely sinning.
These people aren’t always very obvious, thus why Jude alludes to them as “having crept in unnoticed.” This is why Jude calls us to contend, to actively fight for the true message of the cross. This puts us in a ready stance against the schemes of the enemy and his deception against the grace of God. When we posture ourselves to always be ready, when this false message sneaks its way around, we can see it, identify it, and eradicate the false ideology it brings. Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong, but right and almost right. The warning is the grace message distorted to sensuality. Jude is about to blow this thing wide open with what he says next. But first, we must understand that we, today, play an active role in his call to action. Especially in today’s society, taking a stand for the truth of God’s grace is crucial. God’s grace is beautiful, redemptive, loving, compassionate, and life-changing. Yet, to tickle the ears and fill the pews, the message is being distorted to nothing but self-indulgent sensuality. This is where we take a stand.
Takeaway: The message of the grace of God is life-changing and redemptive, we must stand strong and protect the integrity of this truth against the schemes of the enemy and deception.
