◄ What Does Jude 1:3 Mean? ►

Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

Jude 1:3(NASB)

Verse of the Day

Jude, who was the half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ and who despised his older brother during His earthly ministry, is here seen to be a bond-slave of Christ Jesus his Saviour. What a transformation. And in his brief but vital letter, Jude warns of the dangers of apostates who had crept into the Church unnoticed, and who were propagating a false gospel. And Jude gives stark warnings of God's judgment against such ungodliness.

Jude urgently encourages believers to stand fast in their faith. He warns them that they needed to earnestly contend for the faith, and defend the truths of the glorious gospel of Christ which had been entrusted to the apostles for their learning.

How like the times in which we live, when a feel-good, watered-down, prosperity-driven, works-orientated, 'all-things-to-all-men' gospel, together with a bloodless Saviour, has become the main diet for multitudes of believers in Christ today.

Let us earnestly contend for the gospel in our time, but let it be done in gentleness and respect. In essential doctrine let there be unity. In inessential doctrine let there be liberty. In all doctrine, let there be love.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me wisdom and understanding to know how to address issues that are causing conflict between my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to contend earnestly for the faith that was once delivered to the saints, and which is recorded in the Word of God. I pray that I may do it with gentleness, wisdom, and love. In Jesus' name, AMEN.