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CONTENDING AGAINST APOSTASY (I)
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
Jude 20
2 Timothy 2:15
 
“Study to shew thyself
approved unto God …”
 
CONTENDING AGAINST APOSTASY (I)
 
Following his long characterisation of the apostates, Jude now turns finally to the matter of believers and their duty in the face of apostasy. We are to “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 3), but how? In these four verses (Jude 20-23), Jude lays out our duty with respect to ourselves (Jude 20-21), and our duty with respect to others (Jude 22-23).
 
This section opens with a contrast: “But ye, beloved…” (Jude 20) ‒ emphasizing the Christian’s duty in distinction from the practice of the apostates. They do not do this, Jude says, but you must! You must not be like them; instead you must be like this. You must be “building up yourselves on your most holy faith,” instead of separating yourselves from the truth.
 
The word “building” here has the idea of a continual process of construction and growth. A Christian should never be stagnant or backsliding, but always growing and progressing. Dear reader, we have been given by God a most precious gift, a perfect and infallible book, a written revelation of truth: a “most holy faith” (Jude 20), pure and separate from all error. It has been entrusted to us, remember: once for all “delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). Of this solemn responsibility Jude reminds us, with the simple addition of the possessive pronoun “your.” The company of “saints” mentioned in verse 3, includes you! This unchanging truth has been entrusted to you, it is your “most holy faith.” The unshakeable, unmoveable foundation has been laid, and you are now accountable for building upon it.
 
Do you take your study of God’s Word seriously? You must, if you have any sense at all of the privilege of holding in your hands the written revelation of God. Build your life on this truth: study it, understand it, and obey it. With such a sure foundation before you, why would you build your life on anything else? You see the danger facing the church, the deception and destruction wrought by wolves seeking to fatten themselves at the expense of the flock. If you would contend for the faith, you must first affirm that it is your faith, and build your own life upon it. Anything less would be hypocrisy.
 
THOUGHT: Is “the faith” really “my faith”?
PRAYER: God, help me to be a faithful, obedient student of Thy Word.

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