Key Verse: Jude 1:3 

 

 “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” 

 

The short book of Jude was a letter that circulated among the early church. The letter really serves as a warning for the church. Jude is worried that the simplicity of the gospel is under attack from false teachers. In his letter he reminds his readers of the simplicity of the gospel, the character of the false teachers, and the destiny of all false teachers. He also admonishes the Christians to contend for the faith. What does it mean to contend for the faith? This does not mean that we are to take up arms and fight someone or a certain group every time we face persecution. Rather we fight to make sure that the gospel that has been passed down to us dating all the way back to Jesus remains unchanged. It our job as the church to know and understand the gospel and keep it simple and pure. We must protect it from false teachers that stand behind many pulpits. 

 

There are many movements in the church today and outside of the church that threaten the truth of the gospel. There is the prosperity gospel movement which seems to focus too much on ones life here and having wealth and health above all else. Teachers of this false gospel overemphasize this life and the enjoyment of it, and rarely preach about the cost of following Jesus. Then there are Mormon and jehovah witness movements. Friends make no mistakes these are false gospels and are outside of the church. We must study God’s Word and understand the truth of the gospel and protect the gospel and share with the world! Study your Bibles so you can be sure of what you believe and so that you can defend the faith!