Earnestly Contend for the Faith

Jude is probably best known for this verse.

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.”

I would like to point out aspects of this verse and how it applied to us today.

“Earnestly contend for the faith.”

Let me rephrase this verse using terms from the dictionary.

1. Seriously assert for the faith.

2. Zealously struggle with those who oppose the faith.

3. Sincerely maintain the faith.

4. Speak forth the truth.

Even though I like, “speak forth the truth,” the words struggle and maintain are just as relevant. “Struggle” because as time goes on there will be more and more opposition and “maintain” because it means to retain or keep the gospel as it is in it’s original form. All these statements set forth what we are to do, but are we? Are we studying the Word daily with prayer so that we could recognize deception if we saw it?

“…which was once delivered unto the saints.” The truth was delivered once. It is not to be changed, altered or configured to one’s owns desires. “…unto the saints.”

 Who are the saints?

 Ephesians 1:1 “…the faithful in Christ Jesus.”

ko

Basic Truths of the Christian Faith

Basic Truths of the Christian Faith

WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?

Jesus is God and Man. He is God the Son, the second of the Trinity, (1) who came to earth as a human being. (2) He was descended from David, who was born of the Virgin Mary, (3) and came in fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament. (4)

(1) John 1:1, 18  (2) John 1:14, (3) Romanss 1:2-4, (4) Galatians 4:4

WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

He is God, the Holy Sprit, the eternal third person of the Trinity.

Matthew 28:19, John 14:16-19, John 15:26, Romans 8:9

WHAT HAS JESUS DONE TO RECONCILE YOU TO GOD?

Jesus lived, died, and was raised for me.

Romans 4:25; 6:5, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT JESUS LIVED FOR YOU?

Unlike Adam, who disobeyed God, Jesus perfectly did what God requires (1) and imputes His perfect righteousness to me, (2)

(1) Matthew 3:15, John 4:34 (2) Romans 5:19

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT JESUS DIED FOR YOU?

Jesus took all my sins upon Himself when He died on the cross, taking the punishment I deserve so that I can be forgiven.

2 Corinthians 5:19-21, Romans 5:8-9, 1 John 4:10

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT JESUS WAS RAISED FOR YOU?

Jesus was raised bodily from the dead so that I can have a new life. (1) Now Jesus lives for me and protecting me from all my enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil. (2)

(1) Luke 24:38-43, Romans 4:25 (2) Hebrews 4:16, 1 Peter 1:3

IS JESUS THE ONLY SAVIOR?

Yes. No one can find reconciliation with God and salvation from sin except through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

John 3:18; 14:6; 6:57; 10:9 Acts 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:5, Galatians 1:6-8

WHY DO WE NEED GOD?

In myself, I am dead in sin (1) and resist God, seeking only to serve myself. (2) God has loved me not for anything in me, but only because of His good pleasure to show me His glory. This humbles me and fills me with praise for His glorious grace. (3)

(1) Romans 5:12, Titus 3:3, Ephesians 2:5 (2) Romans 3:11 (3) Ephesians 1:3-6, Romans 5:6-8, 9:23-24

 

WHAT IS TRUE FAITH?

True faith is both a knowledge of the will of God as revealed in His Word (1) and a firm trust in the promises of Jesus Christ for those who believe in Him.(2)

(1) John 17:3, Hebrews 11:1-3 (2) Galatians 2:20

AS A SINNER HOW AM I SAVED?

Are you a sinner? Have you ever lied, stolen, lusted, coveted, or been angry with someone unjustly? Have you ever offended God in any way? If so, then you have sinned. Your sin is against God because you have broken His law. Also, because He is infinite, your offense to Him is infinite. You are not capable of appeasing an infinite God because you are a sinner. Nothing you can do can undo the damage caused by your sins.

The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). That means that your sins have caused a separation between you and God (Isaiah 59:2) and the result is death (Rom. 6:23) and wrath (Eph. 2:3). The only way out, is to be saved by faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 5:1). You must trust in what Jesus did on the cross to forgive you of your sins and not trust anything else, not even your own sincerity or works.

Jesus is the one who died for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). He is the only way to the God the Father (John 14;6). He alone reveals God (Matt. 11:27). He has all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). It is only through Him that you can be saved from God’s wrath (Eph. 2:3). He can forgive you of your sin (Luke 5:20; Matt. 9:2). He can remove the guilt that is upon your soul. Jesus can set you free from the bondage of sin that blinds your eyes, weakens your soul, and brings you to despair. He can do this because He bore sin in His body on the cross (1 Peter. 2:24) that those who trust in Him would be saved.

Come to the One who died for sinners (Matt. 11:28). Turn from your sins. Believe in Jesus. Receive Jesus, who is God in flesh, who died and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4) as your Lord and Savior (John 1:12). Ask Jesus to forgive you, to come into your heart, and to wash you clean from your sins. Pray to Jesus. Seek Him. Ask Him to save you.

He will.