Jude pleads with Christian friends, “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to CONTEND (epagōnizomai: to agonize about) FOR THE FAITH that was once for all ENTRUSTED TO GOD’S HOLY PEOPLE. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who PERVERT THE GRACE OF OUR GOD into A LICENSE FOR IMMORALITY and DENY JESUS CHRIST our only Sovereign and Lord.” (Jude 1:3-4)
Jude uses epagonizomai to demonstrate how we should be exerting ourselves in keeping THE TRUTH PURE AND BE PRACTICING IT. It suggests a person STRAINING for all he is worth to ensure THE FAITH’S PURITY in both its beliefs and methods. This struggle is hard and painful at times—sometimes even deadly—but the truth is that important to God and to His church.
“But you, beloved, BUILDING YOURSELVES UP on your MOST HOLY FAITH, praying in the Holy Spirit, KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 1:20-21) These words of eternal truth prove the necessity of prayer, and also prove the omnipotent effectiveness of prayer, “Ask, and IT WILL be given to you; seek, and YOU WILL find; knock, and IT WILL be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham