EARNESTLY CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH Problems in the church with those who teach error and cause division are nothing new. Jude intended to write to his brethren concerning a very happy and joyous subject. He wanted to speak to them of their common salvation. Unfortunately there were some in the church who were causing problems and Jude was pressed upon to address the need to contend for the faith. These troublemakers were speaking evil, they had corrupted themselves, and they had gone the way of Balaam. In order to help the church rid itself of this evil influence Jude specified at least five things the church must do. First, the church was to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3). "The faith" is the one and only faith delivered unto us by God (Ephesians 4:5). It is that body of doctrine, the Gospel of Jesus Christ delivered to man by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). The New Testament is the Law of Christ which guides the church (Hebrews 9:15-17). It is the faith for which all Christians must earnestly contend. The church in Jude's day was to stand firmly for the truth without compromise in order to appropriately deal with those false teachers in their midst. The second thing Jude told these brethren to do was to remember the words spoken by the apostles (Jude 17). The words of the apostles warned of those who would compromise and of the danger of compromise (Galatians 1:6-9). The inspired words of the apostles guided the early church into all truth (John 16:13). All truth concerning the organization, work and worship of the church was delivered by the Holy Spirit to inspired men. We have that record now. It is the New Testament. In times of trouble within the church we need to remember the words of the apostles. We need to go back to the New Testament and use it as our only and final guide. In this way we can help the church when it is faced with "evil speakers." A third thing Jude encouraged the members of the church to do was to build themselves up in the most holy faith by prayer (Jude 20). Whether the church is facing difficulty or not it is very important for the church to continue steadfastly in prayer (Acts 2:42). The prayers of the church are of vital importance when the church is being attacked by those who have gone the way of Balaam. Praying to God for wisdom, strength, courage, and opportunity in dealing with false teachers will go a long way in helping any church to resolve their problems (James 5:16). Fourth, Jude said "keep yourselves in the love of God (Jude 21)." We keep ourselves in the love of God by obeying His commandments (1 John 5:3). Some false teachers and other troublemakers within the church will employ all manner of sinful and unethical tactics to accomplish their wicked goals. It is easy for those who oppose them to fall into the same trap of lying and trickery if they are not careful. We must not stoop to the level of the troublemakers when we are dealing with them. We must continue to obey God even if they are not. We must also keep ourselves in the love of God by being loving and kind in our approach. The end does not justify the means and there is no such thing as situation ethics in the Bible. Some brethren seem to have the idea they can be mean as snakes as long as they are standing for the truth. How sadly mistaken they are. The truth must be preached in love even when reproving error (Ephesians 4:15). The fifth and final admonition given by Jude to help the brethren in dealing with these troublemakers was to have compassion (Jude 22, 23). Why is it that some of our brethren are so quick to shoot first and ask questions later? Why is it that some of brethren show little or no compassion when dealing with those who have fallen prey to the false teachers? Jude says have compassion on them and it may just be that some can be pulled from the fire and saved. Not everyone that goes into error has done so because of a bad attitude. Some have been sincerely led astray. They are the ones who, with patient teaching and loving compassion may be drawn out of the fire and brought back among the faithful. Too many brethren don't want to give them a chance. It takes far less courage to simply write somebody off than it does to make an effort to bring them out of their error. If genuine efforts to bring back those influenced by the troublemakers fail then marking and withdrawal should take place (Romans 16:17, 18). Earnestly contend for the faith, remember the words of the apostles, build yourselves up by prayer, keep yourselves in the love of God, and try to save those who have been led astray by false teachers. If you can't do these things you can't please God. ~Kevin V. Rutherford