Jude 1
Fighting FOR the Faith is not fighting BECAUSE OF the faith!
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about[b] long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (Jude 1:3-4) NIV
Saints, I want to speak about this verse, because it is very serious and historically, so many have used this scripture, out of context, to do unjust harm and hate to so many, all in the name of Jesus. So, this is a sober reminder, of how much damage, we can do as believers, when we get the context wrong about something. So, with that being said, let’s glean the context now. If you look at this verse, Jude is exhorting the readers to contend (fight) for the faith. But do you see that? Contend FOR the faith, not contend, or fight, BECAUSE OF our faith!
And there was reason for that. If you keep reading, right after that Jude tells us why we need to contend, or fight for the faith, why? Because of the false teachers, preachers, and false teaching and doctrine they were spreading and the lies about grace and their wicked perversion was spearing even within the church. So, Jude was exhorting them to fight for the faith, to keep it pure and kick these evil people out so the Lord’s work and will would not be tainted by these people and their false teaching. So that is the context, fight for the faith to keep it correct, right, pure and holy, as it was properly delivered to them. So that’s the context.
This verse was never, ever saying to fight because of our faith. What do I mean? You know who have seen it, Christians who go to a gay pride parade and scream, “God hates gays”, or outside of an abortion clinic and say, “You are going to hell for killing your baby”, or people who rejoice when soldiers die in Iraq because of the stance the military had in reversing “don’t ask don’t tell” as the military openly allowed gays to serve in the military, or even more severe, people who may bomb abortion clinics for abortions that are preformed within those walls, saints, things like these are pure perversions of this text. We fight FOR the faith, not BECAUSE OF our faith. This is a wrong, wrong, wrong, perverted interpretation of this text. And as you can see the huge devastation it can be when we as believers, get it wrong. Saints, please don’t let this be you.
Standing against something you believe is wrong because the Bible says so is correct and good, but there is a proper way, biblically, that we do it. And that proper way is outlined here:
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:15-16). NIV
Gentleness and Respect. Gentleness and Respect. Gentleness and Respect. I think that speaks for itself. Blessings. Much Agape love!
Let us Pray: Lord forgive us if we stood for righteous but we did it in a sinful way. As we came against sin, we could have been sinning as we came against sin. So, we understand, we can be sinning as we take a stand against sin. Please forgive us Lord if we did it in an ungodly, unholy, unjust, and unfair, way. Forgive us Lord if we have ever used this scripture out of context to hurt people or forgive the ones we know who have. Help us Lord, to come against sin correctly, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
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