TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER
The short letter of Jude tells us its purpose in verse 3. Believers are urged to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. The word contend carries the meaning of fighting. Jude is calling Christians to a war. I’m not talking about a physical fight with weapons. I believe this means something more.
Some believers today fail to grasp the scale of the battle. A massive conflict between truth and error is under way, and the church is in the middle. The phrase the faith, with its definite article, refers to an objective body of belief. It describes the faith that was handed down once for all to the saints, and that body of truth is Scripture.
Contending earnestly therefore means fighting for divine revelation. Believers battle for Scripture, proclaim it, and obey it. They defend it against every assault and attack aimed at the Word of God.
A faithful Christian carries two responsibilities. One is obedience to the Word. The other is defence of its truth. Meeting both demands requires knowing what Scripture says and holding firm conviction about those truths.
Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12
