Jude 3 (ESV) - Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.—————In this final message in our series over the book of Jude, we look back to the beginning as Jude begins to summarize his message to his readers. At the end of his letter Jude gives practical instruction on how to contend for the faith and how to encourage a congregation that has false teachers within it. We are to contend for the faith by building ourselves up in the faith (2 Peter 1:5–10) and praying in the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:18).—————We are also to be sensitive to the needs of the congregation as many might be struggling in their faith because of the false teacher's doctrines. We are to hate the presence of sin, calling our brothers and sisters in Christ out of it, and at the same time show mercy to those who are doubting and even struggling with their faith.—————If Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and we have been saved by His work on the cross, then let us contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to us, and let us keep that faith by cultivating our relationship with Christ, having mercy on those who are falling away, and giving glory to God for His work in us and His promise to keep us. This is good news. Thanks be to God.
