The Epistle Of Jude
Jude introduces his epistle with these words: "Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ." (Jude 3,4). The urgency with which this book is introduced enhances its importance. No other letter in the New Testament begins with such a change of plans. Jude evidently intended to write on an entirely different subject, "our common salvation.” However, something else was more important. Men who had been "called, beloved in God the Father, (v.2)" were in danger of being led astray, and Jude found it necessary to write a message of warning and strong exhortation to steadfastness.
Throughout the Bible we find descriptions of destruction upon the unfaithful and wicked. However, none is greater than the picture illustrated by Jude. God's picture of false teachers and their doom is in these words: "These are clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved for ever" (v. 12-13). The saints do not always know who false teachers are initially. Just as was true in the churches at the time Jude was writing. These men had "crept in unnoticed. They will do the same today (Acts 20:29-30)!
After this warning is offered by Jude, we find he offers some encouragement. Jude encourages brethren to, “Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints." Our only confidence can be in "the faith." Therefore, whatever we do must be in accordance with the Word of God. We cannot, "go beyond the things which are written" (I Cor. 4:6; II Jn. 9-11). The Bereans were commended because they "received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so" (Acts 17:9). Are we contending earnestly for the faith? Are we searching the scriptures as we should?
The book of Jude is still relevant for us today. There are still many individuals and religious groups that seek to teach error. May we always search the scriptures, and contend earnestly for the faith.
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