“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” Jude v.3 (NIV)
This letter is written by Jude, who was the half-brother of Jesus. He is identified in the gospels as the brother of James. James was the head of the Jerusalem church identified in the Book of Acts.
This letter, whose recipients are not identified, is written with a sense of urgency. Jude was preparing to write on a different topic, but the current circumstances required him to address false teachers and divisive individuals who have entered the church.
Many of the New Testament short letters address false teachings and the individuals who promote them. The call is for believers to “persevere” in the face of these teachings and to hold true to the gospel.
But Jude not only wants believers to persevere, but he also calls them to contend, or fight for the truth, and to stand against those who are living a lifestyle opposed to the gospel. Perseverance is an individual commitment. Contending is being bold in public and willing to confront and oppose.
That is something that we don’t see too often. We believe that the Christian way is to ignore or to disregard. But Jude calls attention to the importance of confrontation and boldly states, “This is wrong!”
Here is what Jude points out about these people: “They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord…on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings.” (v. 4,8)
These carnal believers not only excuse immorality based on the grace of Jesus, but also claim that they have received angelic approval through a dream to endorse their behavior.
These individuals act like nothing is wrong with their lifestyle or behavior. Jude likens them to many in the Old Testament who were among God’s people but suffered God’s judgment for their wrong behavior.
This verse describes the depth of their arrogance and deception: “These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.” v.16
How should the church respond in the face of these individuals?
- Remember the words of the Apostles who warned about people like this.
- Build your faith through praying in the Holy Spirit. Those who stay true to the gospel rely on the strength and the power of the Holy Spirit. In contrast, those who divide show they don’t have the Holy Spirit.
- Keep yourselves in God’s love. When there is division and false teaching and behavior, it can take the edge off our fervency for the Lord and our love for others. We are not to become callous and pull away from others.
- Show mercy. Jude reminds readers that the Lord’s mercy brings us to eternal life. As we receive mercy, we are to show mercy. But a warning is given. “Show mercy, mixed with fear.” When I read these words, I am reminded of the words of Paul, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). This is a warning not just against pride, but against believing that sin and living in sin are no big deal.
The closing benediction of Jude is one of my favorites. “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy…” v. 23
When we stay true to the gospel and our relationship with Jesus, He can keep us from stumbling into error or sinful actions. One day we will be in His presence, and it is to be a day of great joy and not regret. It should be everyone’s goal to hear the words from Jesus, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter in the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:23)