BIBLE BOOK: The Call to Contend

A vital message from Jude for today…..

 

 

Towards the end of the Bible is a short letter from a man who wrote less material than any of the other New Testament writers. When placed alongside the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, and James, Jude’s contribution seems almost insignificant. But although it may be short, its theme is by no means unimportant.

 

In his opening remarks, Jude tells of the letter that refused to be written. It was his intention to write on the theme of our “common salvation” – a shared salvation, common to author and readers alike, (Jude 3). But God had other plans for His servant, Jude. Paul had already written a detailed exposition of the truth of the Gospel in his epistle to the Romans. A more-pressing need existed just then, so the Holy Spirit directed Jude to sound a clarion call for believers to contend for the faith. Over nineteen centuries later, we can look back with gratitude to the way in which God guided His servant to write something that has vital significance for the times in which we live. We would be the poorer if we did not have in our possession the Epistle of Jude.

 

 

 

THE HEART OF THE LETTER

 

In the third verse we are taken right to the heart of Jude’s message. In uncompromising language he tells us that we must “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

 

Four important facts in this verse deserve our careful consideration. First, we notice that Jude is concerned not with “faith” but with the faith. In other words, his concern is with that body of doctrine which God has revealed to us. Second, we find Jude using the past tense when he tells us that the faith was once delivered. God’s revelation is complete, not continuing. Third, “the faith” has been delivered not to the Church (where it might have become the preserve of a hierarchy) but to the saints. It has been delivered to each and every believer. Fourth, the logical consequence therefore is that all the saints of God should earnestly contend for the faith. The expression used is a strong one. This is a call for combat!

 

These points are important. The Christian faith has been “delivered”. It is not something developing or evolving gradually with “new light” being given from time to time. After speaking by His Son, God continued to speak through the apostles and prophets of the New Testament. (1) That revelation is now complete.

 

It is vital to recognize this fact. It is significant that many of the cults claiming to be Christian have required “new light” in order to establish their doctrines. The Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) are just two examples. In his book The Charismatics, John MacArthur writes:-

 

God’s Word is the only basis for authority. Once we see Scripture as less than the final infallible authority for faith and practice, we have opened the doors to theological chaos. Anyone or everyone can claim to be speaking God’s revelation. (2)

 

 

CAUGHT BY STEALTH

 

The Devil is often active as a roaring lion, but he is never more dangerous than in his guise as an angel of light. (3) In Jude’s day “certain men” had crept into the fellowship of the Church bringing a doctrine that may have been new but certainly was not true, (Jude 4). The expression Jude uses suggests that they had crept in unnoticed – by the side door. Within the Church they were now spreading their destructive heresies. Jude’s purpose in writing was to alert the Lord’s people to this danger that had caught them off guard and to make them aware of the need to “earnestly contend for the faith.”

 

 

 

 

       

TODAY’S EQUIVALENTS

 

What is creeping into the Church today? It would be impossible to produce a comprehensive list, for what is found in one part of the world may not be found in another. The enemy of our souls obviously will concentrate his efforts on that which is most likely to succeed in a particular place.

 

One target that Satan has attacked relentlessly since New Testament times is the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord and Saviour faced the cross in order to defeat Satan and deliver us from his control (5). Through false teaching, and unbalanced doctrine which gives emphasis to one aspect of truth at the expense of another – resulting in distortion – Satan has done all he can to discredit the Lord Jesus. We must beware of any teaching that raises questions or doubts in our minds about the Person of Christ. He is none other than “the Son of the living God” (6) and must be honoured as such.

 

In some areas of the world today Satan has been successful in using trends in contemporary society to bring new doctrines into the Church. The rise of feminism in the West has brought about a kind of “Christian women’s liberation movement” – with “equal opportunities” being sought and the biblical distinctions between men and women in the Church becoming blurred. Psychology too has made its inroads and has spawned a popular brand of teaching, encouraging such things as self-love and self-fulfilment and promising material benefits. It must not be forgotten that psychology has behind it the theories of humanists. The disciple of Christ is not called to a life of self-fulfilment but to one of self-denial. (See Luke 9:23.) The world has crept into the Church as well. Under the pretext of being “relevant” to the day in which we live, many have been brainwashed into adopting modes of worship and methods of evangelism that lack any sound biblical basis.

 

 

WITHOUT BEING CONTENTIOUS

 

What are we to do when we find that we have been led astray or when we discover that false teaching has crept in unnoticed? First of all we must test everything by Scripture. The prophet Isaiah sends us “to the law and to the testimony”. He tells us: “If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them,” (Isa.8:20). Remember, God’s revelation is complete. We are responsible to “prove all things” that we hear and then to “hold fast that which is good”. (7) However, while we must be earnest in contending for the faith, we must not be contentious about it! Jude exhorts us to build ourselves up in our most holy faith and to be people of prayer, (Jude 20). Another responsibility is to keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude 21). The Lord is able to keep us from falling into error and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory one day with exceeding joy (Jude 24). He will do His part; we must do ours.

 

 

 

PRESERVED FOR US

 

We can be thankful that the Holy Spirit directed Jude to write this necessary little epistle. It contains both warning and encouragement. Solemn examples from the past are used to show how ungodly teachers will face God’s judgment, (Jude 5-8).

 

Three Old Testament names appear in verse 11. Cain’s counterpart is still with us and is seen in those who teach salvation by works rather than through the sacrifice of Christ. Balaam’s name appears – to warn us of those who, like him, serve God “for reward” and seek to build empires for themselves at the expense of God’s people. Korah’s sin was self-assertion. Not content with being a Levite, he wanted to become a priest too (9). The spirit of Korah is evident today in those who are dissatisfied with the position God has given them and who aspire to something that is not in accordance with His will.

 

It has been said that those who will not learn from history must repeat the mistakes of the past. The warnings of Scripture are for our profit. The encouragements are given that we might continue in the faith, “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 21) – that moment when He comes from heaven to take His redeemed people home.

 

 

END NOTES:- (1)Heb.1:2 & 2:3-4.  (2)John F. MacArthur, The Charismatics, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1978), p.22.  (3)1 Pet.5:8 & 2 Cor.11:14.  (4)Jn.8:44.  (5)Heb.2:14-15.  (6)Mt.16:16.  (7)1 Thess.5:21.  (8)Lk.15:2; Heb.7:26.  (9)Num.16:1-35.