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“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.” (Jude 1:3, NIV)

Jude encourages all followers of Jesus — past, present, and future — to “contend for the faith.”

I do not believe it to be accidental that he chose the positive, as in contending for; instead of the negative, as in contending against. The truth is this: We can go either way, but as it concerns the faith we hold dear let us be forward looking, optimistic, and proactive.

To “contend” means to strive for a particular goal or objective. We contend for the faith when we make choices that are consistent with our profession, and embrace those choices with confidence and joy. – Luther

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“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25, NIV)

Jude’s benediction — his letter’s final words — are a fitting close to this year.

There are things we’ve done this year that we wish we hadn’t done; there are opportunities we’ve left unexplored, but we need not despair: It is Jesus alone Who is able to present us to the ultimate Judge “without fault and with great joy.”

None of us knows what the New Year holds, but we need not despair: He is able to keep us from stumbling, both now and forevermore! – Luther

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“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.” (Jude 1:3, NIV)

In this letter, Jude encourages the disciples of Jesus to “contend for the faith,” because there are individuals and circumstances that would render powerless the Good News — except for the existence of persons willing to make a good stand for the truth.

It is worth noting that Jude says that he would have preferred to write about our common salvation; but that he is, instead, compelled to urge them to stand for our historic faith. The former topic embraces; the latter topic is fists and elbows.

As disciples of Jesus, it is sometimes necessary to take-up the dirty duty of standing for the whole truth, when half-truths are the fashion of the day. Yet, even in such uncomfortable circumstances, remember to stand in the strength of the Lord; to maintain a posture of grace and, when possible, good humor.

There is no higher compliment for a disciple of Jesus than he or she be known as a contender for the historical faith on which we stand. – Luther

Reminder: Daily Encouragement will be on break tomorrow, as normal. Have a great Sunday in worship, and a reflective Memorial Day holiday weekend. Lord willing, see you on Monday!

Tagged contending for the faith, the book of Jude