A Faith Worth Contending For

Jude 1-4

Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jude, Jesus’ and James’ brother, and the author of the eponymously named epistle, declares the purpose for which he wrote his epistle is an appeal for Christians to “Contend earnestly for the faith.” Why was it necessary for Jude to make such an appeal to Christians? Is this kind of appeal to contend earnestly for our faith still needed?

This appeal was necessary because there were numerous false teachings circulating throughout the various Christian communities. Some of these teachings were the denial of Jesus’ divinity and/or humanity, both of which are essential components of the Christian faith. Other teachings were attempting to induce Christians to reject all authority, or to live without boundaries. This type of heresy comes in two forms: Antinomianism and Hedonism.

Today there are also many false and corrupted teachings of Scripture which circulate through the Christian community. Many of these teachings are no different from those of Jude’s time. There is little question people still deny the truth of both Jesus’ divinity and humanity. There are still calls by people to overturn duly constituted authority, in government, in business and within churches. Moreover, there are those who are living without boundaries.

Ponder ways in which you can earnestly contend for your faith. We must remember that we are called to be salt and light, and our light should so shine that others will see it and glorify God (Mt 5:16). Each of us is a beacon of Jesus’ light, let us shine brightly for all to see as we live our faith each day. Remember, as the old gospel song proclaims, “You can’t be a Beacon if your light won’t shine.” Let the light of Jesus shine always through you as you contend earnestly for your faith in Jesus.

You can’t be a beacon
If your light don’t shine
You can’t be a beacon
If your light don’t shine
There’s a little light
In all of us by God’s design
But you can’t be a beacon
If your light don’t shine

(Words by Donna Fargo, 1974)

Please Pray This Week . . .

An amazing outreach to our community through Vacation Bible School, July 21-25
A successful Cabell-Lincoln Workcamp
For safe Youth summer camp
For successful outreach to Happy Feet soccer