Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: July 16, 2006
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH
Ben Justice
Jude penned these words in Jude 3 — “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write
unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort
you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the
saints.” Jude had given all diligence to write concerning the common salvation.
However, it was needful for Jude to write and exhort them to “earnestly contend
for the faith.” The word “needful” means that Jude was “constrained, compelled,
driven to” change the subject matter from that of the common salvation to
contending for the faith. The reason why begins in v. 4 and that reason was
because of false teachers.
What did Jude mean when he exhorting the brethren to “earnestly contend for
the faith.” What all this entails these brethren had a responsibility to do it. Let’
s examine it more carefully.
The term “exhort” simply means to admonish. Then, the phrase “earnestly
contend” is from one Greek word. The original word is epagonizomai. This is a
compound word, from epi and agonizomai, which means “to fight or struggle.” Epi
intensifies it. Jude admonished that we fight for the faith and to do so
“earnestly.” In fact, this is the only time this word is used throughout the NT.
What is “the faith?” “The” is a definite article, thus, indicating the one and only
faith. In Acts 6:7, the Bible tells us, “And the word of God increased; and the
number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the
priests were obedient to the faith.” The phrase “the word of God” is parallel with
the expression “the faith.” “The faith” refers to the system of faith — the word
of God. Note Acts 13:7-8. Sergius Paulus called for Barnabas and Saul and
desired to hear “the word of God.” Now listen to v. 8 — “But Elymas the sorcerer
(for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy
from the faith.” Now was Elymas trying to turn Sergius Paulus away from
something that he didn’t desire to hear? Obviously not. Elymas wanted to turn
Sergius Paulus away from the word of God. So, it is clear that “the word of God”
and “the faith” are synonymous expressions.
How do we earnestly contend for the faith? Keep in mind that the original
signifies to fight. The word “contend” has also been defined as to literally
wrestle, but as one writer correctly noted, “it is used here figuratively and
denotes the extreme efforts which are to characterize the faithful in their
defense of the truth, however formidable and numerous its enemies may be (Guy
N. Woods, Gospel Advocate Commentary — Jude, Pg. 385). The NT is filled
with information concerning how we are to fight. Let’s explore some of these
contexts.
When the chief priests and Pharisees, at the direction of Judas, came to take
Jesus, Peter carnally defended his Lord by cutting off Malchus’ right ear. In
John 18:11, Jesus said to Peter, “Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which
my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it.”
When Jesus was before Pilate, he explained, “My kingdom is not of this world: if
my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be
delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (John 18:36). Jesus
made it forever clear that his followers are not to fight with carnal weapons in
his behalf. If we can’t fight carnally for our Lord, then what may we fight with
and do we go about it?
In 2 Cor. 10:3-6, Paul very clearly set forth the nature of this war. He penned to
the Corinthians, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4)
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strongholds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that
exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought
to the obedience of Christ; (6) And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience,
when your obedience is fulfilled.” The weapons the Christian uses are not carnal,
like Peter wanted to use.
The Christian’s weaponry is listed in Eph. 6:11-17. In v. 11, Paul commanded,
“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil.” Then, in v. 12, Paul mirrored what he wrote in 2 Cor. 10:3-6. He said,
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness
in high places.” In v. 14-17, Paul listed the weapons. Note:
1.) Loins girt about with truth (v. 14).
2.) Breastplate of righteousness (v. 14).
3.) Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (v. 15).
4.) Shield of faith (v. 16).
5.) Helmet of salvation (v. 17).
6.) Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (v. 17).
We are to earnestly contend for the faith by fighting the good fight of faith (I Tim.
6:12). In Phil. 1:17, Paul said he was “set for the defense of the gospel.” This is
parallel to what Jude said. How could it be unchristian to do what the Bible
teaches? The idea that it is unloving and unchristian to engage in religious
controversy and debate is corrected in the NT.
Now that we have considered the “how” of contending for the faith, let’s look at
the “why.” Why are we to contend for the faith? In the context of Jude 3, the
next verse begins with the explanatory word “for.” Jude wrote, “For there are
certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation,
ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only
Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” The answer is simply: We are to earnestly
contend for the faith because of false teachers. According to Jude 22-23,
evidently these false teachers were having great influence upon others. Jude
penned, “And of some have compassion, making a difference: (23) And others save with
fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Here,
Jude described different classes of people who had been influenced and infected
by false teachings. Some should be handled delicately, that is with compassion.
Others, who were more advanced in error than those in v. 22, were to be
snatched out of the fire of error. We are to contend for the faith by helping
others who have been overcome by error. If there is no such thing as religious
error, then why the exhortation from Jude?!
The bottom line in this: WE MUST CONTEND FOR THE FAITH. It is
commanded of God, and those who don’t will have to answer to God one day.
Souls are at stake!