Message from Scripture: 7/31/2021

 

Today’s message from Scripture comes from Jude 1:3: “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.”

 

In our passage of study today, Jude speaks of the common salvation we share together, which we share in common as Christians. There are those, however, as he would go on to say, that were altering its message, and in doing so, the application it has for every day living in Christ. So, to keep the gospel pure, and its salvation genuine, he wants them to contend earnestly for that message that was given to us by inspiration.

 

What does Jude mean by contend? The Greek term literally means “to fight for in reference to something,” in this case, the gospel, the message of salvation. He is not saying to be contentious about it, as we are to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), but to stand up for it, to defend it. Altering the gospel creates another gospel, a different message altogether (Gal. 1:6-9), which cannot provide salvation at all. In essence, Jude is saying what we believe does matter, and to change that message is to forfeit salvation. Its importance is also seen in that it’s given “once for all,” the duration for which it exists, meaning forever.

 

Jude tells us what we have in the pages of Scripture is God’s complete and only revelation to us. Anyone claiming information given after the completion of Scripture at the end of the first century, is either deceived or has an agenda to promote. It also speaks of its importance to us today, as much as in the first century, for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). Let us go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, being confident in His word, maintaining our convictions in its offer of eternal life. God bless.

 

Robert