#927 Being a Christian – Contending for the Faith

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Jude challenged the recipients of his epistle to “earnestly contend for the faith.”  The faith he was referring to was the Word of Truth inspired by the Holy Spirit and proclaimed by the apostles, Truth that was given once and for all, contained in Holy Scripture.  It is this same Truth that the “apostates” have perverted and ignored.  We should contend not through harsh contentiousness, but with an agonizing desire to teach with patience and meekness, always sharing the Truth in love.  While there is a necessity for our being “relevant” in the modern world, this “relevancy” should never involve compromise of the biblical principles and values that are the faith we stand upon, but contending openly, meeting people where they are, regardless of social status, ethnic background or any other distinguishing features.  Being a Christian is contending for the faith!

Stand up today for the Truth of God’s Word, not compromising the principles and values contained therein!

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”  (Jude 3)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#926 Being a Christian – Standing against Untruth

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Being a Christian involves much more than just claiming to be a follower and servant of Christ or claiming His provisions for us; it also involves standing against the untrue apostasy in today’s world while intensely contending for the Truth of God’s Word.  There was apostasy Jude was writing about during his time, and, sadly, there is even more apostasy today.  We live in a world today where many churches and supposed “spiritual leaders” have gone against the basic principles of God’s Word by adding or subtracting to Scripture, denying the Jesus Christ as God, or just devising their own “spirituality” that perverts and/or ignores the Word while doing away with biblical doctrines, principles and values.  Being a Christian requires us to stand strong against these types of untruths.

As you see these perversions of Scripture, do you go along with them or do you take a stand against them?

“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Jude 4)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#924 Being a Christian – Our Provision of God’s Love

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The provisions of mercy and peace Jude blessed his recipients with have their origination in God’s love for mankind.  After the fall of man in the Garden of Eden all men were estranged from God, He not being able to stand sin.  His love for mankind, though, provided the answer by sending Jesus Christ to earth to become our sacrifice on the cross, giving those of us who accept Christ’s sacrifice mercy from eternal judgment as well as an inner peace knowing nothing can separate us from His love.  God is love, and we cannot begin to fathom the love God has for us.  We may choose to ignore that love by following a life of sin or consciously disobeying God’s will for our life, but His love for us is constant and always available for us to fully experience.

Make sure you are fully experiencing God’s love by living for Him and telling others about His great love for them!

“But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”  (Ephesians 2:4-5)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#923 Being a Christian – Our Provision of Peace

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

At the time Jude presented his blessing of peace to his believing recipients, there was much opposition and suffering, even to the point of death.  As one of the choicest provisions from God, they were able to experience an inner peace that gave them strength facing death and all the turmoil in the world at that time.  Today, we as Christians also face numerous types of opposition, not only from the world itself but also from false teachers and religions; however, upon our trust in Jesus Christ as Savior we can also experience peace within our heart and soul that gives us confidence in the face of these obstacles.  Only God can give us true and lasting peace, and it has come to us as the peace that Christ made between us and God through His death on the cross.  It is up to us to draw upon that peace by trusting Christ as Savior.

Examine your heart today:  are you experiencing the inner peace that comes from accepting Christ as Savior?

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Romans 5:1)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#922 Being a Christian – Our Provision of Mercy

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The first blessing mentioned by Jude was “mercy,” a provision from God based on His love for each and every one of us.  We know God loved us so much “that He gave His only begotten Son,”[1] demonstrating an extremely merciful love.  Although it is God’s grace that saves us through our faith in Jesus Christ, it is God’s mercy that delivers us from the judgment our sins deserve.  This is also the same mercy that saved Lot from destruction in Sodom, the first time the word “mercy” or “merciful” is mentioned.[2]  We can easily see that mercy is one of the choicest blessings that could be conferred on Jude’s recipients as well as upon us as Christians.  Through God’s mercy our sins have been pardoned, and we have full acceptance with God.

Before you go to sleep tonight, thank God for His salvation and His mercy that saved you from eternal judgment.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us…”  (Titus 3:5a)

May God Richly Bless You Today

[1] John 3:16

[2] Genesis 19:16-19

#921 Being a Christian – Our Provisions

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Jude had a genuine desire for the welfare of those addressed.  In his compassion and concern for them, he mentioned three blessings which when combined are the choicest blessings which could be conferred on them.  Additionally, Jude expressed the desire that these divine provisions “be multiplied,” stressing the strength they provided in the face of the apostasy and heresy prevalent during that time, just as they provide strength in the face of the heresy taught and believed by so many today.  Mercy, peace, and love, the three blessings mentioned, have their distinctions; however, there is a strong relationship between them.  They can make a great difference when we understand and apply them to our lives of service for the Lord.

As you serve the Lord, notice and apply His generous blessings provided!

“Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.”  (Jude 1:2)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#920 Being a Christian – Our Description

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When Jude revealed to whom his epistle was written, he did not reveal where they were from but did identify their relation to the Father and Son.  He did so by using three words that identified them and their position as believers:  called, loved, and kept.  These words also describe Christians today, and demonstrate the work of the Godhead in our salvation experience. Our “calling” is through the work of the Holy Spirit; “love” being a continuing manifestation from God the Father toward us; and “kept” describing the ministry of Jesus Christ in providing us assurance of our future. With knowledge that we as Christians are called, loved and kept, we have the peace and power to contend for the truth of God’s Word in the face of the apostasy, heresy, and unbelief we may encounter.

As you contend with the unbelief in today’s world, take comfort in the fact that God’s presence has been, is, and will be with you to provide guidance as you faithfully serve Him!

“To those who are the called, loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ.”  (Jude 1:1c – HCSB)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#919 Being a Christian – Earthly Glory or Heavenly Praise?

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In addition to claiming himself as “the servant of Jesus Christ,” Jude also made the claim of being “brother of James.”  Jesus’ brothers initially did not believe on Him;[1] however, after the resurrection they not only believed[2] but gave their life to His service.  James became the leader of the church in Jerusalem succeeding Peter, a position which gave him much exposure.  Jude served Christ in the shadow of his brother James, much as Andrew played second fiddle to his famous brother Peter; yet, both Jude and Andrew were never discouraged, jealous, or resentful of their brothers.  When we are serving Jesus in accordance with His will, we cannot concern ourselves with who gets the credit or let petty jealousies and pride hinder our service and testimony.  A “well done” given by God in Heaven is much more valuable than great glory here on earth.

As you serve the Lord, do so as a “servant of Jesus Christ,” not to attain any earthly glory!

“Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James…”  (Jude 1:1a, b)

May God Richly Bless You Today

[1] John 7:5

[2] Acts 1:14

#918 Being a Christian – Our Relationship with Christ

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The way we speak of ourselves often reveals a great deal about us as Christians.  Many Christians rely on family ties for their recognition; however, we see in Scripture two men who had close family ties to the Lord Jesus Christ, but chose to use a special relationship to Him instead.  Both James and Jude were brothers of Jesus, and both wrote an epistle in the New Testament.  At the beginning of their separate epistle, they identified themselves as the writer by calling themselves “a servant of Jesus Christ.”  Their authority to write their epistle was based on their calling, not family relationship with Jesus.  Being a “servant of Jesus Christ” was a distinction more desirable than a natural relationship to Christ and a higher honor than any distinction arising from birth or family.  When we recognize the lordship of Jesus Christ, we find perfect freedom in our service and devotion to Him.

Is our devotion to Christ based on an earthly relationship or our personal relationship with Him?

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…”   (James 1:1a)

“Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ…”  (Jude 1:1a)

May God Richly Bless You Today