“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 3).
The book of Jude contains only twenty-five verses, yet it delivers one of the strongest warnings in the New Testament concerning false teaching. Jude originally desired to write about “the common salvation,” but circumstances demanded that he address a more urgent danger. False teachers had entered among God’s people, and Christians needed to defend the truth. That need remains today. Religious error, moral compromise, human traditions, and worldly philosophies threaten the purity of the church. Christians must therefore know how to “earnestly contend for the faith.”
We must understand the faith. Jude did not tell Christians to contend for personal opinions, family traditions, denominational doctrines, or human creeds. He told them to contend for “the faith.” In this passage, the faith refers to the complete system of truth revealed through Jesus Christ and His inspired apostles. It includes the gospel, the doctrine of Christ, the plan of salvation, acceptable worship, Christian living, and the organization and work of the church.
We must recognize that the faith has been delivered. Jude said that the faith “was once delivered unto the saints.” The word “once” means once for all time. God did not deliver part of His will in the first century and leave later generations to complete it. The apostles received all the truth necessary to guide the church. Jesus promised them: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Peter declared that God had given them “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). The Scriptures therefore provide a complete and sufficient revelation of God’s will. We do not need latter-day revelations, modern prophets, church councils, denominational creeds, or the traditions of men. The gospel does not change with society. What was truth in the first century remains truth today. Paul warned: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8). To contend for the faith is to stand upon the final authority of God’s written word.
We must use the word of God. Human wisdom cannot defeat spiritual error. Christians must use the weapon “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). When Jesus was tempted, He answered Satan by saying, “It is written” (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10). He relied upon the Scriptures. We must do the same. Our feelings are not the standard. Popular opinion is not the standard. What our families have always believed is not the standard. The only reliable standard is the inspired word of God. Peter commanded Christians: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). Before accepting any doctrine, we should ask: Where is it taught in the New Testament? Is it authorized by Jesus Christ? Can it be supported by a command, an approved apostolic example, or a necessary conclusion from Scripture? If a religious practice cannot be authorized by God’s word, Christians must reject it.
We must live the faith. It is not enough to defend the truth with our words. We must also defend it through our manner of life. A Christian whose conduct contradicts his teaching weakens his influence and gives others an opportunity to criticize the gospel. Paul instructed the Philippians: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27). Christians contend for the faith when they worship according to truth, maintain moral purity, show kindness, remain faithful in marriage, care for those in need, teach the lost, and refuse to compromise with sin.
We must be courageous. Contending for the faith requires courage. The truth is not always popular. Faithful Christians may be ridiculed, rejected, or falsely accused. Nevertheless, we must not be ashamed of the gospel. Paul declared: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom. 1:16). We must never compromise the truth merely to avoid controversy. Peace is desirable, but peace cannot be purchased by surrendering the doctrine of Christ. Christians are commanded to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). Courage does not mean harshness. We must combine the boldness of Elijah with the compassion of Christ. We should be firm without being cruel and confident without being arrogant.
The faith has been completely revealed, and it must be faithfully defended. Christians contend earnestly for it by knowing the Scriptures, recognizing their authority, exposing error, teaching the truth in love, living holy lives, and courageously refusing to compromise. The church does not need a new message for a new generation. It needs renewed devotion to the ancient gospel of Jesus Christ. May we possess the courage of Paul, the love of Christ, and the conviction of Jude. Let us stand firmly upon God’s word and “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
-Johnie Scaggs, Jr.