After describing who should become involved in apologetics, Jude then turns to the specific purpose in verse 3. Before getting to the purpose, the author makes sure that we understand who he is addressing: those having received "our common salvation." This language does not demean the value of salvation but simply refers to its availability to all mankind. Those that have accepted Christ's free gift are the ones to whom this explanation is coming.
The purpose of this short book is to "exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith." This exhortation is not only personal teaching but also a specific call to action. So, we will be receiving instruction that we must retain and remember then commit to redistributing that teaching to others. Essentially, Jude is the first apologist and his thoughts are of great value in our modern day.
The heart of this verse is the phrase "contend earnestly for the faith." Contending here is based upon the Greek word from which we receive our English word agony -- "epagonizonai." The reference is a struggle in that effort meets effort through opposition as one proceeds to become a victor. The implication, then, highlights that contending for the faith will require time and training because, as Blackaby says, "evil forces are seeking to rob us of our faith and to disrupt our relationship to Christ."
Contending does NOT mean that Christians are to go through this life looking for a fight; however, we must take a stand upon doctrine regardless of what others may think of us. God's truth is the only truth! Man's opinion of God's truth does not, in any way, change the fact that it is still universal truth. The Bible clearly tells us to refrain from foolish arguing (see II Timothy 2:23), so what are we to take a stand about? Look at the last part of verse 3 -- "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." Our faith is rooted in the Word of God (see Romans 10:17), so we must make our stand upon the clear teachings of the Bible and nothing else.
Many counterfeits exist in this world, and the sure way to spot a counterfeit is the know the original beyond doubt. Most people do not realize that any investigations of counterfeit money are handled by the US Secret Service. The Secret Service trains their agents to know the genuine currency beyond doubt; because when they pick up a counterfeit, they will notice it immediately. However, this governmental organization does not leave this only up to those who have had detailed training. Take a look at their website (http://www.ustreas.gov/usss/money_detect.shtml) which says regular citizens should be involved as well -- "You can help guard against the threat from counterfeiters by becoming more familiar with United States currency."
The same is true of our faith, and we must, as Jim Collins in Good to Great says, learn to "spot rot." Preachers are not the only ones that must recognize counterfeit truths because that is a responsibility of us all. If we do not spend time in God's Word, to know the real thing, then we will struggle in differentiating truth and error. Never forget that just a little bit of error is still error. Our purpose is to agonize over maintaining the truth and it begins with our knowledge base from time and effort. We all know 2 Timothy 2:15 but often fail to see the purpose of the study that this verse commands -- "rightly dividing the word of truth." Rightly dividing means to cut straight indicating no flaws or error. Clearly, our purpose in studying God's Word is that we will use it properly and teaching in properly to others.
We cannot share what we do not already know; so, do you have purposeful study of God's Word so that you can know the truth? If not, the time to begin is now.
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