Jude
Scripture
Jude 1: 3-4
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. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. 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.
Observation
In the Letter of Jude, Jude warns us of the dangers of false prophets and in the key verses above, he asks us to “contend for the faith that was once delivered”. Jude does not define these prophets false teaching, but instead points to their worldly way of living. He indicates that they believe God’s grace has given them a license to do things that God has called sin. Jude says that this means they have rejected Jesus and his teachings and warns the Church to reject their teachings. He then tells us more about how to contend for the faith once delivered. He describes the Church as God’s new temple and tells us to build our lives on the good news of the Gospel. That is, that the one and only sinless God robed himself in flesh, led a sinless human life, died the death we deserved, rose from the dead three days later, and now offers us forgiveness and eternal life by agreeing with him that what he calls sin, is sin, and we are all guilty of it, then turning from those sins to enter a relationship with him. Jude tells us to live these new lives in Christ with a dedication to prayer and a love for God that leads to obedience. Through this process, he will sanctify us and make us more like him.
Application
So how do we apply these truths to our lives now? First, it is vitally important that we have entered this relationship with Jesus. In fact, it is the most important thing that can happen in our lives. Then, we must lead lives of obedience to God. How are we supposed to know what God expects of us so we can be obedient? We must dwell in his Word so we can know of the “faith once delivered” and we must live lives of prayer, so the Holy Spirit can “guide us into all truth” John 16:13.
Prayer
God, please help us to live lives of prayer and obedience. Holy Spirit, please speak to us through your Word. Please lead us into all truth and help use contend for the faith once delivered. Jesus, help us to know the truth and help us to hold the truth in your grace. We love you Lord, and we thank you for being the way, the truth, and the life.