Good morning, friends,

A consistent walk is what the Lord desires from each of us. To achieve this, it is imperative that we hold steadfast to Jesus, maintain godly living, and adhere to biblical truth. One key aspect of holding fast is to be vigilant against those who are false teachers. Jude provides a description of these individuals in his letter, particularly in verse 4.—⁴ For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. 

Jude composes this letter to his fellow believers, cautioning that certain individuals shall infiltrate the church to propagate their false doctrines. Nonetheless, he assures that God shall uphold and safeguard those believers who adhere to Jesus and the truth (vv. 24-25).

What must we do? Verse 3 instructs us to "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." The term "contend" in Greek conveys the notion of struggling or fighting for. Just as one would fight to protect a cherished loved ones, we must similarly defend our faith. We reside in an era wherein we are incessantly subjected to animosity for being followers of Jesus. No other faith is as despised in contemporary society as that of biblical Christianity. However, we must acknowledge this reality, for they first harbored hatred toward Jesus. Jesus Himself informed us that if we live for Him, the world—specifically, the lost individual—will harbor animosity toward us, as articulated in Matthew 10:22: "and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake.”

Therefore, although the journey may become burdensome at times, I encourage you to steadfastly hold fast to the Lord and to the teachings of His Word. In conclusion, I wish to impart the words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 10:26-33:

²⁶ “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. ²⁸ And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. ³⁰ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. ³² So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, ³³ but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. 

Stand fast in the faith,

Gene