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"Contend earnestly for the faith..."

Text: Jude 3

A MORE URGENT TASK

It would have been valid to write about the doctrine of salvation. Hearts may be greatly encouraged through understanding more about the salvation found in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, there was a greater task at hand that needed to be addressed.

“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.”

Jude 3

1. “I found it necessary”

a) There are a few nuances to be found in the phrase “found it necessary”.

b) The nuances include the following:-

i) Distress

ii) Compulsion

iii) Strong sense of duty

c) Jude was expressing how he felt even as he began to write to his readers.

2.”To write to you exhorting you”

a) Jude was most conscious of why he wanted to write.

b) It was to give strong exhortation to his readers.

3. “To contend earnestly for the faith”

a) There was an urgent need to contend for the faith.

b) A battle was in Jude’s mind.

c) The faith was under attack.

d) This was a call to arms to defend the faith stoutly.

4. “The faith which was once for all delivered to the saints”

a) This is a beautiful description of our faith.

b) What is the faith that we possess?

i) It is a carefully-handed over faith.

ii) It was taught by the Lord Jesus to the apostles.

iii) The apostles had carefully passed this faith to their hearers.

iv) This faith was delivered to all the saints (that is, all true believers in the Lord).

v) This faith must be contended for when it comes under attack.