The Necessary Fight

TEXT: “Beloved, ….. contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude v. 3 NKJV).

INTRODUCTION

Terrorism has taken center stage for many years now. Prevention of terrorist activities and protection from terrorist attacks are priority national concerns every day. Jude wrote his little Epistle to confront “spiritual terrorists” or "errorists" in his day. Spiritual terrorists can operate “unnoticed” and can cause chaos and disaster. Jude believed that subversive spiritual terrorism was taking place at that time, and his endangered readers needed to be aware of the crisis and respond accordingly. What was to be done? Jude says that his readers were to “contend earnestly for the faith.” Some fights are not worth fighting, but the fight of faith and the fight for THE FAITH are worth earnest engagement. Indeed, the fight for THE FAITH is necessary and essential. Well, how are we to engage in this fight, what is our strategy to be, according to Jude?

EXPOSITION

I. We Must Look Out (vv. 4-19)

Much of Jude’s Epistle is devoted to exposing false teachers who pervert God’s grace, they deny the Lordship of Christ, they evidence ungodly behavior, they harm the church, and they display a self-centered carnality and arrogance (vv. 4-19). The Word of God must be our guide as we “look out” for spiritual terrorists who promote false teaching and wrong living that contradict the truth of the gospel and harm God’s people (see also Acts 20:28-31). There is the need for tolerance on many issues in the Christian community, but the truth of the gospel, THE FAITH we believe, must be affirmed and defended. We cannot tolerate falsehood. So, we must be alert, sensitive to error, and ready to declare the truth when it is compromised or challenged.

II. We Must Work Out (vv. 20-21)

Spiritual health, strength and growth are necessary on the part of God’s people to withstand the challenges of false doctrine and sinful behavior. Our personal responsibility is to maintain spiritual vitality “in the love of God” as we rely upon His keeping power (vv. 21, 1). How do we do this? We need to commit ourselves to grow in the faith. Jude says to build “yourselves up on your most holy faith” (v. 21). Spiritual atrophy can take place very easily. We need to be hearing and heeding the Word of God regularly, being strengthened by the truth and living it out in daily life. We need to be “praying in the Holy Spirit” (20). As we consistently pray in dependence upon the Spirit of God, we will maintain and grow in our relationship with the Lord. Thirdly, Jude tells us that another aspect of our strategy is waiting for or “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (21). Fixing our hope on our ultimate goal and our merciful source of help will keep us from getting discouraged or distracted. Building, praying and waiting keeps us spiritually healthy and where we need to be, “in the love of God.”

III. We Must Reach Out (vv. 22-23)

Jude mentions high-risk people who are in need of merciful attention and intervention to make sure they are rescued from spiritual danger and devastation. Too often people “on the edge” are ignored or rejected when they ought to be the focus of mercy and ministry. We need spiritual counter-terrorists who will go after those in danger and minister to them appropriately. Prevention ministry is not enough. We must actively seek to rescue and help those who are caught up in and are casualties of falsehood, error, or sinful behavior. The stakes are high!

IV. We Must Look Up (vv. 24-25)

Jude concludes with a doxology that declares God’s ability to “keep [us] from stumbling, and to present [us] faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy….” (v. 24). Rather than pessimism, Jude has confidence in ultimate victory in this necessary fight of faith. So, we need to step out in faith. We go forward. We live and fight the fight of faith knowing that victory is wrapped up in God’s ability. Praise His Name! Thus, we must rely on the Lord’s ability to be victors in the fight. We must look up, hold fast, and step out in faith to do God’s will according to His truth. Let’s be people of the truth, standing and ministering for the faith in the midst of the battle that we face.

Adapted from “Advocates for the Faith” by David Olford, originally published in Into the Word, Vol. 1, Num. 1 (March-June, 2006) pp. 1-2; A publication of Olford Ministries International. David Olford is the Stephen Olford Professor of Expository Preaching at Union University.