Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. | Jude 3
Jude began to write a letter eager to speak on the salvation that the church has in Christ. Instead, he sensed that the integrity of the faith was endangered, and his audience had better address this. I have a protective instinct, which is surely helpful in pastoral ministry. I love teaching sound doctrine because it makes for healthy Christians. I’ve seen bad ideas lead Christians astray and false gospels keep unbelievers in the dark. All Christians are called to be on the watch, and when necessary contend for the faith.
Contend
Christians are not to be contentious (Gal. 5:19-20), but we must be willing to contend for the truth. The Spirit and the Word do not produce pacifists who are willing to let God’s truth be trampled. Rather, they make men like Josiah (2 Kings 22-23) and Phinehas (Num. 25). The contending to which we are called takes many forms. It can be a refusal to bow to idols, a rejection of ungodly cultural expectations, a vocal rebuke to that which displeases God (Mark 6:18), confronting false teachers, or exercising church discipline. It can be apologetics or polemics, which tear down arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God (2 Cor. 10:3-6). We contend for the faith by exhorting wayward Christians, living as Christians publicly, teaching, preaching, evangelism, and even gathering for worship and ordinances. Contending to uphold the truth may get uncomfortable. It will lead to hard conversations that may not end well. God is not so weak that he needs the strength of people like you and I to defend him. Yet he is so glorious, holy, righteous, and true, that we would be pitiful servants if we could easily endure our master’s name being slandered and not even bother to raise an objection.
Earnestly
We know two things about God’s truth: it will stand forever, and it will always be under attack in this age. This should lend us courage in our task and a zeal for the Lord. Many translations supply this word to describe the manner in which Christians are to contend for the truth. It must be purposeful, heartfelt, and bred of real conviction. The stakes are real. False gospels cannot save. False doctrines corrupt. False teachers deceive. There is one gospel, one road, one door. But there are a million erroneous paths promising the same destination. Instead of being careless, weak, or fearful, we must be earnest.
Furthermore, love, patience, faith, mercy, and compassion must adorn our contending. Arrogance, malice, or selfish ambition can have no part in this. James tells us that the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God (1:20). I probably think about that verse as much as any other in the Bible. Defending God’s truth is not an excuse to express sinful pride, self-righteousness, or hatred.
For the Faith
It is important to know what we are called to defend. Jude says we are to contend for ‘the faith’. What is the faith? It is at the very least the gospel of Jesus Christ, the message which must be believed for salvation. But it cannot be limited to this. When faith has the definite article before it (the faith) it describes the whole of Christianity as taught in the Scriptures. It is the faith and teaching passed down from Jesus and the Apostles to us. We see this usage over 30 times in the New Testament (see Acts 6:7, 14:23; 1 Cor. 13:5; Col. 1:23; 1 Tim. 3:9; 2 Tim. 4:7; Titus 1:3). So it includes both the gospel of Christ and all the orthodox doctrines that undergird it. This is what we are called to defend.
Once for all delivered
The faith for which we must contend is settled. God has revealed to us what he intends. We do see doctrinal development in church history, which means that our understanding grows, our definitions more precise, and application is made in every generation. But we should not tolerate doctrinal innovations or new revelations. Muhammad and Joseph Smith were liars and frauds. They depart significantly from anything approaching biblical orthodoxy.
This doesn’t mean every doctrinal disagreement among Christians means a fight. There are areas of disputable matters and issues of conscience. No doctrine is unimportant, and all false belief has some negative effect. But we must know how to contend. It may be a gentle reminder, or a good faith conversation as friends.
Delivered to the saints
To whom has the faith been delivered? To the saints. Not to the world at large to do with whatever they like. Neither has it been delivered to only a select few elites in the church, such as the papacy. All the saints who receive the truth by faith are called to keep it, promote it, and contend for it in the world. Elders in a church have a special charge to shepherd their congregations according to the truth, but they are not the ones solely entrusted with contending for the faith. That is all our responsibility. Believe it. Keep it. Teach it to others, and make a defense for it.
One of the Apostle Paul’s greatest accomplishments was that he could say at the end of his life, “I fought the good fight.” I pray that I can say the same.
The fight is good and worthwhile.
And it must be fought well.
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