CONTEND FOR THE FAITH (Jude)
Dr. Paul Manuel—2015
When you engage in a new activity, there are often aspects you did not expect to encounter, elements you may not have thought through.
The author of this brief epistle calls himself "a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James" (v. 1), indicating that he is probably one of Jesus' four brothers.1 He does not identify the recipients of the letter, but it is apparently a particular congregation. Jude originally intended to write on a positive note but changes his mind upon discovering that the church is having trouble with certain "godless men."2 Jude expresses his concern in v. 3 with an exhortation—
I. You must defend the faith (Jude 3).
If a friend asked you to explain your faith, to state what you believe in just a few sentences, could you do it? If he then asked why you believe what you do, could you? Could you offer a more substantive answer than the one Alfred Ackley gives in his hymn text: "You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart." That is a lovely sentiment, but it is not very informative and not very convincing. Peter says,
At the Association Youth retreat this past weekend, the young people submitted a series of questions for me to answer, one of which was: How do we know that Christianity is true and not some other religion, like Buddhism or Islam or Mormonism? It is a good question. Do you know he answer?
...Unlike most other religions, Christianity is historical. That is, it is based on an event that is well attested: the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The only other religion that can make the same claim to historicity is Judaism. It, too, is based on an event that is well attested: the exodus of Israel from Egypt.5 While Buddha, Muhammad, and Joseph Smith did actually live, the events their followers claim for them do not have the same historical support.
You can be confident that your faith is grounded in history, but can you also
explain your faith to someone who asks? Peter says,
The task of defending what you believe is even more difficult, of course, when the other person is not asking what you believe but trying to convince you of what he believes. That is what those well-groomed men at your door would like to do. It is also similar to the problem Jude's readers face, because...
II. Some would disturb the faith (Jude 4-19).
Despite the attempt by these "certain men" to deceive, Jude wants his readers to take note of their true nature, to...
These are not outmoded beliefs. They recur with some frequency in present-day cults. You may feel insulated from them living here, but such aberrant thinking can still get to you, and you must be on your guard. "The church today is plagued by false teachers claiming superior knowledge and experience" (Blum 1981:394).
was a question the youth asked at their retreat: How should you respond to people who have different values and adopt a different lifestyle?
The error of the professed Christians Jude warns against is most evident in their conduct, so it is important to recognize how they behave, which Jude describes throughout the middle section of his letter. First of all...
Ultimately, what they believe and how they behave has them going in the wrong direction. Hence, it is also important, even if they do not, to...
Jude advocates a dual response to these false teachers, a two-fold way to contend. The first way he gives in the opening verses of this letter, "You must defend the faith." The second way he gives in the closing verses...
III. You must demonstrate the faith (Jude 20-25).
In looking to their own spiritual development, however, they must not have a "fortress mentality." They must not view the truth as a protective wall separating them from those who do not know God but regard it as a bridge that enables them to...
In all these cases—doubt, danger, and depravity—the truth of God can still reverse the harmful affects of false teaching,20 which is why it is important for you to Contend for the Faith.
We do not often encounter the kind of false teachers he describes in a congregation. In fact, we do not usually encounter them at all. The ones we meet are people they have influenced, and that usually happens in other settings. Whether they come to your door or accost you on the street, you may be unprepared for a debate, so your conversation will likely be brief and not very productive:
When Timmy turned eight, he was old enough to go fishing on his own for the first time. While he loved fishing, he knew little about how fish got from the pole to the plate. His mother arrived home to find a note he'd left for her on the counter: "I caught three fish.... Can you peel them for me?"When you engage in a new activity, there are often aspects you did not expect to encounter. That can happen if someone questions what or why you believe. At that point you may have to follow Jude's admonition and Contend for the Faith.
The author of this brief epistle calls himself "a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James" (v. 1), indicating that he is probably one of Jesus' four brothers.1 He does not identify the recipients of the letter, but it is apparently a particular congregation. Jude originally intended to write on a positive note but changes his mind upon discovering that the church is having trouble with certain "godless men."2 Jude expresses his concern in v. 3 with an exhortation—
I. You must defend the faith (Jude 3).
Jude 3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.Jude was going to write about what they share together: salvation.3 Instead, he finds it necessary to write about what they believe together: the faith. He says to them, "You must defend the faith." By "faith" he does not mean a vague notion about God. They should...
A. Know that it is propositional.In other words, it is a body of knowledge or doctrine they can state and, therefore, communicate to others. Paul gives an example of this in...
1 Cor 15:3 [W]hat I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins... 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day... 5 and that he appeared to Peter...to the Twelve.... 6 [and] to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living....They (and we) can also hold this faith with confidence that it will not shift over time. Consequently, they should also...
B. Know that it is permanent.It is not subject to revision; it is "once for all" (also v. 5a). The reason for this stability lies in its source. What they believe comes from and is about a God, who does not change, either in His person nor in His plan. Moreover, God has "entrusted to the saints" this truth, making it their responsibility "to contend [or "struggle"] for the faith."4 It is also the standard by which they can evaluate other claims to authority. This implies, of course, that they know what they believe.
If a friend asked you to explain your faith, to state what you believe in just a few sentences, could you do it? If he then asked why you believe what you do, could you? Could you offer a more substantive answer than the one Alfred Ackley gives in his hymn text: "You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart." That is a lovely sentiment, but it is not very informative and not very convincing. Peter says,
1 Pet 3:15b Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.This is not just the job of a pastor or teacher. Are you prepared to defend the faith?
At the Association Youth retreat this past weekend, the young people submitted a series of questions for me to answer, one of which was: How do we know that Christianity is true and not some other religion, like Buddhism or Islam or Mormonism? It is a good question. Do you know he answer?
...Unlike most other religions, Christianity is historical. That is, it is based on an event that is well attested: the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The only other religion that can make the same claim to historicity is Judaism. It, too, is based on an event that is well attested: the exodus of Israel from Egypt.5 While Buddha, Muhammad, and Joseph Smith did actually live, the events their followers claim for them do not have the same historical support.
You can be confident that your faith is grounded in history, but can you also
explain your faith to someone who asks? Peter says,
1 Pet 3:15b Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.Are you prepared?6 If you live what you believe, people will ask you about it or criticize you for it, and you must Contend for the Faith.
The task of defending what you believe is even more difficult, of course, when the other person is not asking what you believe but trying to convince you of what he believes. That is what those well-groomed men at your door would like to do. It is also similar to the problem Jude's readers face, because...
II. Some would disturb the faith (Jude 4-19).
Jude 4 For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord [or "the only Sovereign (the Father) and our Lord Jesus Christ"].There are those who profess to be Christians but are not. They even claim to be teachers ("shepherds" v. 12). On that pretense, they have entered the congregation and have sown confusion among the members. How is it possible for "ungodly persons" to creep into a church unnoticed? ...It is possible when regular members are not paying attention or when they think that proper doctrine does not matter.
Despite the attempt by these "certain men" to deceive, Jude wants his readers to take note of their true nature, to...
A. Recognize what they believe....not what they claim but what they actually believe:7 First...
They think that being saved gives them license to sin, that their transgressions no longer count against them. (They are antinomian.) Second...1. They distort God's grace.
They think they have no responsibility to submit themselves to the authority and demands of Jesus.2. They deny God's Son.
These are not outmoded beliefs. They recur with some frequency in present-day cults. You may feel insulated from them living here, but such aberrant thinking can still get to you, and you must be on your guard. "The church today is plagued by false teachers claiming superior knowledge and experience" (Blum 1981:394).
- A group popular in the late 60s and early 70s was the Children of God whose founder, Moses Berg, advocated a form of evangelism by the young women called the "Flirty Fish Policy," salvation through seduction.
- The Unification Church, which has invited me and other ministers to seminars it sponsors, purports to be Christian yet denies the lordship of Christ.
- The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, that will send representatives to hold a Bible study in your home and try to convince you Jesus is not God.
B. Recognize how they behave....and notice if their lifestyle does not accord with what God expects. This, too,
was a question the youth asked at their retreat: How should you respond to people who have different values and adopt a different lifestyle?
The error of the professed Christians Jude warns against is most evident in their conduct, so it is important to recognize how they behave, which Jude describes throughout the middle section of his letter. First of all...
They act as if God were and still is oblivious to sin when, in fact, there are many instances of His judgment against those who violated His standard:1. They have no sense of history.
Jude 5 ...the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.In other words, these instances are but a few that illustrate the fate of those who disobey God;8 yet those who "have secretly slipped in among" the believers to whom Jude writes ignore them. They have no sense of history. Second...
They exhibit a general disdain for everything and everyone, even when such an attitude is harmful to them. Did you ever know someone like this? He maintains a casual air of indifference, as if what goes on around him is beneath him. Such people care nothing for others. Jude says...92. They have no sense of respect.
Jude 10a ...these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand.... 16 These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.... 19 These...men...divide you...and do not have the Spirit.Whatever regard for others these false teachers might claim, they have no sense of respect.10 It is evident in their behavior.11
Ultimately, what they believe and how they behave has them going in the wrong direction. Hence, it is also important, even if they do not, to...
C. Recognize where they are bound.First...
1. They are headed for destruction.12
Jude 10 ...these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals—these are the very things that destroy them.They are headed for destruction. Second...
2. They are headed for punishment.
Jude 12 These men...are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.They are headed for punishment.13 Third...
3. They are headed for judgment.14
Jude 14 Enoch... prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is corning... 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done.. .and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him."They are headed for judgment.15 Whatever their claims,16 these men are headed in the wrong direction, and Jude wants his readers to recognize where they are bound and to Contend for the Faith.
Jude advocates a dual response to these false teachers, a two-fold way to contend. The first way he gives in the opening verses of this letter, "You must defend the faith." The second way he gives in the closing verses...
III. You must demonstrate the faith (Jude 20-25).
Jude 20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.Jude cautions that in their defense of the faith, they should not neglect their own spiritual development or place themselves in spiritual jeopardy. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we are doing for God that we fail to keep up those elements that nurture our relationship with Him. Jude says...17
A. Help yourselves to maturity.and he suggests four ways.18 First...
...that which was "once for all entrusted to the saints" (v. 3). Second...1. Grow "in your...faith,"
...by being sensitive to his leading. Third...2. Pray "in the...Spirit,"
...which should characterize your relationships together. Fourth...3. Remain "in God's love,"
...which is the culmination of your salvation.4. Wait "for...eternal life,"
In looking to their own spiritual development, however, they must not have a "fortress mentality." They must not view the truth as a protective wall separating them from those who do not know God but regard it as a bridge that enables them to...
B. Help others to safety.Jude is not talking about aiding the false teachers. They see no need and have no desire to change either their beliefs or their behavior. He is referring to people they have influenced:19 First...
There are people who are open to but uncertain about the truth, which is what makes them vulnerable to false teachers but which may also enable them to consider what you have to say. Second...1. Be merciful to those in doubt.
There are people who have accepted the heretical notions of these false teachers. They may be close to perishing but are not yet beyond hope. If God gives you an opportunity to speak about Him, take advantage of it, for that very word may be instrumental in their rescue. Third...2. Be merciful to those in danger.
There are people who have adopted the immoral lifestyle these false teachers promote. They have set themselves on a downward spiral and may need to hit bottom before they will ever look up. They, too, need to know about God's love, but the immorality of their lives is potentially infectious. So, take care that they do not pull you down as you attempt to help them up.3. Be merciful to those in depravity.
In all these cases—doubt, danger, and depravity—the truth of God can still reverse the harmful affects of false teaching,20 which is why it is important for you to Contend for the Faith.
We do not often encounter the kind of false teachers he describes in a congregation. In fact, we do not usually encounter them at all. The ones we meet are people they have influenced, and that usually happens in other settings. Whether they come to your door or accost you on the street, you may be unprepared for a debate, so your conversation will likely be brief and not very productive:
- "I'm not interested."
- "I have my own church."
For a pdf including Bibliography and Endnotes see here.
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Jim Skaggs