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CONTEND FOR THE FAITH (JUDE 1:1-4)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Contend for the faith” “Contend for the faith” means to strenuously and earnestly defend the Christian faith against false teachings. Jude 1:1-4 summarises the book’s core message: a call for believers to “earnestly contend for the faith” because false teachers have infiltrated the church. These intruders twist God’s grace into a license for immorality and promote evil practices, despite their empty promises of spiritual enlightenment. Jude, identifying as a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, urges believers to stand firm against these corrupting influences. We shall reflect on the fact that we can only contend for the faith if we are consistent with studying and preaching the Word of God.

Beloved in the Lord, the only way we can defend or contend for the faith is to devote our time to studying and teaching the genuine Word of God. Jude identified the challenges when he wrote, Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (Jude 1:3-4) If we fail to focus on the Word of God, we become weak and allow false teachers to infiltrate the church with their teachings. This must be the greatest concern for leaders of the 21st-century church. Pastors must be deliberate in seeking biblical knowledge and training presbyters, elders, and lay preachers to lead in Bible study and discussions, so that the entire congregation will be edified and equipped spiritually. In our time, there are false prophets and teachers misleading people with the prosperity Gospel and promoting teachings that do not encourage people to experience regeneration and confess Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Christian discipline is sacrificed on the altar of liberalism, where everyone does anything and wears anything under the guise of grace abounding. Paul’s instruction to Timothy is still relevant for us today when he wrote, “I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5) We are to continue studying and teaching the truth because Jesus has taught us that “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) To contend for the faith, we must go back to the Scripture and remain faithful to the fundamental and immutable teachings of Scripture concerning our salvation and practical Christian living.

In summary, we have discovered that false teachers will always rise against the church, but when we devote our time to the study of the Word, we shall be equipped to defend the faith through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Shalom.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit raise and empower men and women devoted to the study and teaching of the Scripture so that we can always contend for the faith. Amen.