Jude 1-4 – Contesting for the faith

Jude or Judas, who was the earthly brother of Jesus, had written this letter (Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3). He was a Hellenistic Galilean Jew. Like his brother James, he did not believe in the Lord Jesus at one point (John 7:4-5). It was not until the Lord’s Resurrection that he became a fervent believer. In his writing are many allusions to the Old Testament. This has led many to conclude that this Epistle was primarily written to a Jewish audience. 

In this letter, Jude began introducing himself by identifying with Jesus Christ and James. He called himself a bond-servant of Jesus Christ and the brother of James. Although he was the earthly brother of the Lord Jesus, he chose not to highlight this fact. In so doing, he had chosen to emphasize his relationship with Jesus in the spiritual sense rather than physical.

Having established who he was, he then addressed his readers. He referred to them as “those who were called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ”. Jude intentionally addressed them that way. He must have known that once a person believed he or she would be called, loved and kept, and he or she would have full assurance in the faith. And this would help them through the time of apostasy.

Like most Epistles, he also wished God’s mercy, peace and love upon his readers. He then quickly went into discussing the purpose of his letter. Initially, he set out to write to encourage them about the faith that was once for all delivered to them. Jude was referring to the truth of God that was revealed in the Scriptures; that which the Apostles of Christ also taught. This was the faith that he and the readers had in common. However, while writing, he felt an overwhelming necessity to deal with a more urgent matter - the need to contend earnestly for the apostolic faith. Verse 4 tells us why. Apparently, false teachers had crept into the fellowship unnoticed and were present in the church. As far as Jude was concerned, these were already marked for destruction long beforehand for condemnation. They had to be exposed and opposed for two reasons. Firstly, they had turned the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ into licentiousness. Secondly, they also denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

In the light of the two clear evidences of heretics, we must not only walk circumspectly but also discerningly. We must do our best to warn and admonish others who may be trapped by false teachings. Heretical teachers are usually eloquent and have the canning ability to concoct and spin stories that are totally out of the context of the Word. From all that we know, material possession is usually their primary focus. So let’s be careful in our journey of faith!