What it means to 'contend for the faith'

You always understood that following Jesus wouldn’t be easy. It may be about to become much more painful than you ever imagined—and all because you set out your stall to obey Jude 3 and contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

The church you go to is everything you ever thought a church should be. The work has steadily grown under the influence of an internationally-respected minister who has been in place for a number of years.

It is biblical rather than traditional, emphasising relationship rather than structures, focussed on mission rather than maintenance. You and your spouse have made deep friendships within the fellowship so that for the first time in your Christian life, you feel that you belong.

In fact you wouldn’t trade in your church for anything.

James is a young man who has recently joined the church as an apprentice. In the beginning he seemed a good fit—bright and cheerful, full of energy.

But lately people have begun to comment that he has changed, become withdrawn. He cancelled a recent Bible study at short notice, apparently due to 'exhaustion.' After a recent meeting with the minister, someone thought they saw him leaving in tears.

Is he really cut out for ministry, you wonder.

At the next Members’ Meeting things become clearer. Why did James have to be late that time of all times? As he tried to slip into the meeting, the minister spotted James and made one of his little quips about punctuality. These are always a good challenge for serious discipleship. Also, they are always funny. As normal, everyone laughed—everyone that is, except James, who almost seemed to shrivel up where he sat.

But it was the item on the youth work which confirmed all your suspicions about James. Someone or other asked a question which prompted the minister into a tremendous outbreak of concern for the cause of Christ as he laid bare James’ failings for all to see: '...incompetent...weak...lacking Christian character....unreliable....a massive disappointment ...'

As usual, because of his wonderful passion and zeal for the Lord, the minister gradually raised his voice until by the end he was full-on shouting. After he spoke, there was total silence. Then, his voice completely calm, he continued: 'Lets move on to the next item.'

Shortly after this James left the church and returned to live with his parents. So far as people know, he isn’t currently attending a church. Clearly there were problems all along. What a good thing your minister spotted them early and nipped them in the bud!

Now take another look at the letter of Jude. Truthfully, did it always seem a bit outlandish to you, too extreme to fit anyone you knew? You now need to face the fact that 'these people,' as Jude so often calls them, could actually include someone as widely respected as your own minister.

It is time to give him some biblical labels—ugly but honest labels such as grumbler, malcontent, loud-mouthed boaster (v16) and scoffer (v18). But if that is the truth, it marks him out as potentially a dangerous man, one who like a 'waterless cloud' (v12) promises much but delivers nothing; such a wandering star (v13) offers to guide but only misleads.

The problems may not be obvious but it is the hidden reef (v12) that poses the real danger. If the problem with 'these people' in Jude is much bigger than false doctrine, then contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints must mean much more than 'argue for doctrinal truth.'

It means, when you see something very clearly against the Bible, you need to speak up. It is going to cost, as that ugly spotlight of humiliation and intimidation turns on you full-force; but He is with you and all His Fatherly love and keeping power (v1) will be yours.