If you live in a city, you know that road rage is real. Judging by the behavior of some drivers, that inch of space separating your car from the car in front of you was worth the price of their car and your life. To some, the penalty for not driving quickly enough is risking their lives to ride your bumper until you get the hint. When I see an instance of road rage, I wonder, Was the fight worth it?
Jude, the brother of Jesus, wrote his letter to remind Christians that, indeed, some fights are worth it, especially the fight for faith. In a world that assaults our confidence in Christ and the gospel, it is important to expend energy to keep our faith strong. This type of fight is willing to say “no” to certain things. As Titus 2:12 encourages, we are to “say ‘no’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
Jude’s readers were at risk because individuals had secretly infiltrated their community and were living contrary to the faith. Jude calls these people ungodly because by their behavior they were abusing God’s grace. They believed forgiveness meant they could live immoral lives (v. 4). By doing so they denied the authority of Christ! These people were a significant danger to the community. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians, “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Cor. 15:33). Sinful conduct could spread throughout the community.
What should Jude’s readers do? He calls them to fight for faith (v. 3). In this case it means saying “no” to ungodliness, protecting themselves and their community from those who would lead them astray. Now, that is a fight worth fighting!
Go Deeper
How will you fight for the faith? Are you willing to say “no” to ungodliness in your family, your church, or your community? God is with you in this fight every step of the way. Extended Reading:
Jude
Pray with Us
Lord, we accept Jude’s challenge to fight for our faith. Sometimes the most difficult fight is within our own hearts! But we believe that You will “present [us] before his glorious presence without fault” (Jude 1:24).
Contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.Jude 1:3
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