Contending for the Faith
This morning I made an early trip to Lakewood, leaving home at 5:30 a.m. I was surprised how many cars were on the road traveling to Denver at that time of day. I was headed to a meeting of Lakewood Republicans at Foothills Golf Course. This is a group that I regularly attended during my legislative days. It was my first time since moving to Fort Collins that I was able to join the group. I shared about my West Nile Virus journey.
While in Lakewood I had the opportunity to connect with my son, Christian and then visit my mother in Englewood.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “God is strong and can help you not to fall. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and can give you great joy. He is the only God, the One who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen.” Jude 24,25 NCV
Often times a pastor will have a plan for a sermon and in the midst of that plan, realize that there is another message of importance and timeliness. That is what we see in this short letter from the Apostle Jude. In his words he says, “I wanted very much to write you about the salvation we all share. But I felt the need to write you about something else: I want to encourage you to fight hard for the faith that was given the holy people of God once and for all time.” (Jude 3 NCV)
Jude then explains that there are those who desire to influence believers by teaching that “grace gives license to sin.” Jude is straight forward in explaining his feelings about these people and uses examples about Sodom and Gomorrah, fallen angels and even the words of Enoch about the impact of these people and their danger to true believers.
Jude admonishes believers to hold on to their faith, by a lifestyle that avoids godlessness. I was asked in my meeting this morning, “what does repentance really means?” We see that it involves a changed life style where what I have done, I don’t do and what I didn’t do, I now do. It also means that I remain true to that commitment to live a life in obedience to Christ and His ways.
As Jude closes his letter, he provides some great words of encouragement. He lets those who are faithful to know that “God can keep you strong.” The “downward” inertia of this world and the influence of others and our carnal nature can be great. The battle we fight, the life we live, must be done with the strength that comes from the Lord. When we depend on His strength, He keeps us strong….we won’t fall.
Judge also instructs believers to use their faith for strength by Holy Spirit empowered prayer.“…use your most holy faith to build yourselves up, praying in the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 20 NCV)
Jude also reminds of the sustaining power of God’s love and mercy. “Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the Lord Jesus Christ with his mercy to give you life forever.” (Jude 21 NCV)
Jude speaks of a day of victory and celebration when he says, “He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and can give you great joy.” (Jude 24 NCV) Note that he says, “God can bring you…” It is not our own strength or ability but that which comes from God that gives us the assurance and pleasure found in God’s presence.
The final words of this letter remind us of the power of praise, “To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen.” (Jude 25 NCV) As we affirm and declare who God is the presence of God’s Spirit in our life in turn provides us strength.