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Earlier this year, Russia invaded Ukraine. People were killed, homes destroyed and cities devastated. Thousands of people fled west to Poland and other countries to escape. But other people remained behind. The took up arms to meet the advancing invaders. They headed into combat to fight for their country. Picture them when you hear the word contend. That word means to “fight for something like a combatant.” When the Ukrainians head into battle, they contend for the freedom of their country.
We also must contend as followers of Jesus. The book of Jude urges us to fight for our faith. Verse 3 says, “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” (NIV)
Please do not misunderstand. Jude is not suggesting we use violence or start a religious war. But he is urging us to struggle for the truth. As he says in verse 4, false teachers “have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” (NIV)
Immorality and the denial of Jesus mark our culture. Tragically, they also mark the teachings in some churches. This week, we’ll look at Jude’s instructions for times like these. We must contend for the faith.
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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.