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.