Jude 1:16
“These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.”
When I first read this verse, I thought I was reading about my ex-boyfriend, but something told me to dig a little deeper, so I did.
I did this first by looking up who Jude is, and I learned that he is the son of Mary and Joseph, the brother of James, and the half brother of Jesus.
After that I went to the beginning of the chapter and started reading at verse 1. This is where I realized that Jude was writing a letter to other Christians, because he addressed it to, “those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.”
He then said in verses 3-4, “though 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. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you….”
So, what did Jude mean when he said, “I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith”? Well, the definition of contend means to assert something as a position in an argument, so in my mind, contending for your faith means to stand up for what you believe in, and to uphold the truth of the gospel.
How do you do that you might ask…Well, as I went on to read through Jude, I read in verse 9 that, “even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
Now I used to think that rebuking someone or something meant to banish them from your life forever, but while doing this devotion, I learned that the biblical term of rebuke is actually used to convey a strong expression of disapproval, or correction of someone’s behavior, attitude, or actions. It is tied to discipline, correction, and the pursuit of righteousness.
So, with that in mind, I would say that when a person does something that runs contrary to scripture, or in other words, something that we know is wrong in God’s eyes, then we should contend to our faith by reminding them of the truth in love, even if they slander or challenge this truth, because in verse 10 Jude says, “These people slander what they do not understand.”
I would also go on to say that Jude is reminding us in verses 18-19 to be mindful of the company that we keep and the people that we hang around with when he says, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires, these are the people who divide you…”
And I think that Jude gives us the most important reminders of all in verses 20-23 when he says to:
“build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.”
“keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”
“Be merciful to those who doubt.”
“Save others by snatching them from the fire.”
and “Show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”
Prayer
Thank You Jesus for pouring out Your wisdom when You speak to us through Your word. Thank You for speaking to us today through the book of Jude, teaching us to “Contend for our faith”, and to stand up for what we believe in. Thank You also for reminding us to be mindful of the company that we keep, and how to treat others in our midst. Father, it is hard sometimes not to become offended when our faith is slandered, so please help us in these situations to be like the Archangel Michael and not condemn them, but instead rebuke them in Jesus’ name, by speaking the truth to them in love, and by being merciful to those who doubt. Please also continue to remind us to build ourselves up in Your most Holy faith, by praying in the Spirit, and to keep ourselves in Your love as we wait for eternal life in Heaven.
In Your Mighty Name,
Amen