Jude exhorts us, lovingly appeals to us, encourages us, begs us even, to earnestly contend for the faith. What does this mean and why is it so important? Contend earnestly means to struggle for, agonize over, or defend. It’s similar to phrases we use in sports when a competitor gives all he or she has, such as a wrestler contending while on the mat, exerting maximum, intense effort. In the Christian walk, contending earnestly denotes hard, diligent work throughout our lives.

Why does Jude call our salvation common? Because we are all saved the same way, through faith in Jesus Christ. Even the people who live across the world that we will never meet while here on earth are our brothers and sisters in Christ, including those Christians who've lived throughout time, Jews and Gentiles alike. We all have this in common - we have chosen God as our Father and Jesus as our Savior. Even though we are separated and may never meet, even though we may have

Jude wanted to write to the church about the salvation they all shared but felt it necessary to first discuss contending for their faith. Why? Because of the serious issues we learn about in verse 4. When we follow God’s leading, and do His will instead of ours, He can do mighty things through our efforts. If Jude had merely written what he wanted to write, or what he had initially intended to write, his little book may have never made it into scripture. But he obeyed the pro

Jude didn’t want just a bit of mercy, peace, and love added to his fellow believers’ lives, he wanted them multiplied in their lives! Couldn't we all use more of those three? “What Jude prays for, therefore, is not that his readers may be helped to exhibit in large measures a merciful, peaceful, and loving disposition to others, but that they may enjoy in liberal degree the great blessings of God’s mercy, peace, and love bestowed upon themselves,” (Pulpit Commentary). I would

Now that we know who Jude is, let's explore to whom he wrote this letter: to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ. Jude wrote this letter to the church, to those who were already believers. Called means invited to obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom through Christ. We know from John 3:16, as well as so many other scriptures, that all are called. No one is excluded. “The important thing is to answer the call when it comes, just

Jude was the son of Mary and Joseph, and the half-brother of Jesus. Jude, as well as Jesus’ other half-brothers, did not come to faith until after Jesus’ death and resurrection, but once he chose his brother as his Savior, he was fully committed. At the beginning of his letter, Jude identifies himself as a faithful, devoted, submitted, and dedicated servant of Jesus Christ. To be a servant of Jesus Christ is “the highest glory which any, either man or angel, can aspire to,”