“Beloved,
while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I
found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to
the saints.”—Jude 1:3
In 1 Samuel 17, we are given a picture of an
individual who dealt with someone who was much larger physically and more
experience in battle. However David, a
teenager, under took such a fight to contend
against the giant who had defied the armies of the living God. David's short battle with Goliath was more
than a fight between Israel and the Philistines. It was a defense of Jehovah's name against
those who doubted His supremacy. As
David pointed out, the only way a boy with a sling could defeat a giant warrior
like Goliath was by the Lord's hand. And
that's exactly what happened.
In confronting Goliath, David showed real
courage and faith. But we see that what drove him to face the giant was
righteous indignation: "For who is
this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living
God?" (1 Samuel 17:26). David believed that someone had to wipe away
from Israel the reproach caused by Goliath's insults. Since no one else would step forward, he
volunteered to defend Yahweh's name.
Modern audiences often read this story merely
as a battle scene wherein an inexperienced underdog toppled an ancient
superhero. We comfort ourselves that we
will probably never have to deal with such a scenario. But the real story is that David stood up for
God. Given how our culture scoffs at
both the Father and Jesus Christ, believers will certainly spend some time in
David's sandals. The question is whether
we will turn and run or stand and fight in God's name.
The book of Jude reminds us that when
apostasy (the refusal to accept religious beliefs anymore), arises that we are
to fight, to contend, to do battle. We,
like David, are to contend for the faith when false teachers
emerge and when the truth of God is attacked. The danger is as real today as it was in
Jude’s day. False teachers have crept
into the church, turning God’s grace into unbounded license to do as they
please. Jude reminds people of God’s
past dealing with unbelieving Israel, disobedient angels, and wicked Sodom and
Gomorrah. In the face of such danger
Christians, should not be caught off guard.
When Jude exhorted the believers to, “contend
earnestly for the faith…,” the word “earnestly”
is only used here in the whole of the New Testament. Although there are similar words to it in the
New Testament, but the exact word translated “earnestly” is only found in this verse (v. 3). Jude is telling us that we must actively participate
in a spiritual wrestling match. This is
something that we must stand up and take a stand for; just like David did. It is the duty, the calling, the
responsibility of those who are the called, the beloved, and kept for Jesus
Christ. Jude is writing to those people
saying, “I’m writing YOU—you called,
you beloved, you kept and I am telling you
that you need to contend earnestly for the faith which was
once for all deliver to the saints (v. 1).
You don't need a theology degree to combat
those who would mock God. I exhort you
to purpose in your heart not to run from those who would mock God and call evil
good and good evil. Stand firm in your
faith knowing that God is on your side and He has given you His Word. Your "smooth
stones" are the truths you have pulled from the Bible. No enemy can win an argument against
scripture. Remember when someone may
challenge God’s Word that: GOD’S WORD CAN WITHSTAND RIGHTEOUS
JUDGMENT.
Prayer—Father I thank You that You are standing with me as I
purpose in my heart to stand and contend for my faith. I ask for Your wisdom and determination to
stand firm in my faith regardless of others beliefs and arguments. Help me to express Your love and compassion in
the face of trouble and conflict, in Jesus Name. Amen.
