Contending for the faith is not always pleasant, and it is not always our first choice, but it is a necessity. The powerful little book of Jude is the result of necessity. Jude wanted to write a letter in which he celebrated with us what we have together in the salvation that we have received in Christ. Instead, because of the presence of dangerous men (vs.4), he was “compressed” to write the letter that we have. Thank God for this inspired “redirection”.
As undershepherds we are called to contend for the faith. We do it understanding the love that God has for His church, (“beloved”, vs.3), we do it understanding the urgency of watching for souls, (“I found it necessary” vs.3), and we do it with the confidence that God’s people are ultimately safe and God is able to keep them from stumbling. (vs.1-2, 24-25)
May God help us to be faithful in the task of fending off wolves. Christ has told us that they are coming. We are exhorted in multiple places to stay alert and to be courageous in the face of such attacks. May God give great grace so that His shepherds will be faithful to the Chief Shepherd in such an important work.
By His Grace and for His Glory,
Richard
Filed under: Defending the faith | Tagged: Christianity, Church, Life, Religion
