Three Weapons to Fight for the Faith

Believer, fight for the faith. Jude picked up his pen to write a letter about the common faith which is shared among the believers in Christ Jesus. But instead of writing about our common faith he turns and issues a battle cry. Very quickly Jude turns from pen to sword and rightfully so, there is danger all around and we must fight. There is nothing new under the sun, ungodliness has not changed, its voice has gotten louder and bolder. Believer, danger is all around, stand and fight.

The Weapons of Our Warfare

Our call is to fight, contend earnestly for the faith. Believers are in a battle and as God’s soldiers in this battle, we need to know that we are not alone in this war. We need equipping with the proper weapons with which to fight.

After reading through this letter several times this week,  I can see three weapons that God equips us with to fight this battle.

1. Weapon of Faith
2. Weapon of Discernment
3. Weapon of Mercy

Our weapon of faith:

Jude opens this letter with comforting words for the believer. In the middle of the message, he gives us a description of what we are fighting against and then ends this letter with more comforting words. I love how the Holy Spirit inspired him to write. While in battle it is easy to look at what is seen and take our spiritual eyes off of what is not seen. The things which are seen are temporal, the things which are not seen are eternal! 2 Corinthians 4:18 Let’s keep our eyes on the captain of our faith.

Jude uses three passive verbs that should comfort us as we gird our loins for battle. These verbs are our faith weapons.  He tells us that we are called by God, beloved in God, and kept by God for Christ Jesus. Who is the One who equips and keeps on providing?  God is!

God called us: He has saved us and called us with a holy calling. Not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 1:9.

He Loves us: 1 John 3:1. God loves us unconditionally. He set His love on the called in eternity past, Ephesians 1:4-5, and His loves continues. God will never stop loving His called.

God keeps Us: He is the initiator of our salvation and is the finisher of it as well. John 6:37-44. The Lord will rescue us and bring us safely into His kingdom. 2 Timothy 4:18

Our faith rests on Who God is and His power, not in our own strength. I cannot keep myself, but I know, trust, and believe that God keeps me because He called me and He called me because He loves me. These descriptive verbs are how we are able to stand and fight this ordained battle.

Faith, Weapon of Discernment:

Why would I say that discernment is a weapon of warfare? I believe that the church today lacks insight and judgment. Some, not all Christians are spoon fed. What do I mean? They listen to podcasts, read blogs, listen to their pastors and teachers but are not reading and studying the Word of God for themselves. There is no way that this believer knows the whole counsel of God and therefore leaves them with a lack of discernment. One aspect of discernment is looking around at the landscape of this world and seeing spiritually what is going on.  The same things that were going on in the days of Jude are going on today. For a believer to discern the times and to fight against the ungodliness is to be in the word of God, letting Him describe what the ungodly look like and opening your eyes to the battle in front of you.

I believe that the church today lacks discernment. Some, not all Christians are spoon fed. What do I mean? They listen to podcasts, read blogs, listen to their pastors and teachers but are not reading and studying the Word of God for themselves. There is no way that this believer knows the whole counsel of God and therefore leaves them with a lack of discernment.

Description and condemnation of the ungodly:

In the middle of this letter, Jude 1:5-13 goes to great length describing the wicked and their condemnation that’s prophesied long ages ago. The Word describes these men/women as denying our Lord and Master Jesus Christ and turning the grace of God into freedom. In the words of my husband, “They do what they want.” Jesus is not the Lord of their life. They lord over their own lives deceiving themselves into thinking that God’s grace is covering them.

A little side note: God is extending His common grace to all humanity. What I mean by that is He gives food, water, shelter… to everyone. But His saving grace only goes to those who are His which believe and exercise that belief. Jude is warning the believer and the unbeliever with historical examples that judgment and condemnation are coming. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked Galatians 6:7. Whatever a man sows this he will also reap.

Discernment is much needed to see the things that are going on in the world.  A greater discernment is needed to see what is going on in the church. This passage teaches that these men are participating in the love feasts of the church! These feasts were times of fellowship by Christians followed by the Lord’s supper. They are in the church building, play acting.  Hidden, wolves in sheep’s clothing. Our pastors need to be on guard for the sheep, but you and I need to be aware just as much.

Jude says that these men and women  have gone the way of Cain{religion without faith in sacrificial blood.} rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, {They were in religion for money.} and perished in the rebellion of Korah {undermining the authority of ministry.}  They are further described as:

• having no fear, caring only for themselves
• bearing no fruit, doubly dead, uprooted
• They are wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam.
• wandering stars

A WOE is issued to these men. Judgment is not asleep!

Faith, Weapon of Mercy

At the end of this short letter, Jude issues another call to the believer. He instructs us to keep ourselves in the love of God, to build ourselves up in our most holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, and wait anxiously looking for the mercy of Jesus. First, we must work on our own faith. If we are not in prayer, we will not be discerning but weak and immature and led astray. Not from salvation but led astray in our minds and actions into possible danger. Jesus is coming back soon to shower His mercy on those who believe! I pray that our conscience is clear that we will not shrink back in that day. Be ready, be watchful, be anxious excited for His return!

After we have done everything to stand, we will be ready to show mercy. Apostates are won by the kindness that God supplies through us for salvation. God saves, not us. But we are the tools in His hands. We are instructed to:

1. Have mercy on some who are doubting.
2. Save others, snatching them out of the fire.
3. On some have mercy with fear.

The Christian attitude should be one of mercy and compassion not just let them go to hell. Remember what God in Christ has done for you! I hope that we do not wish hell on our greatest enemy. In saying this I mean we are to hate and despise everything that sets itself up against God but showing love, grace, mercy, and compassion!

I am praying for you in these dark days. Pray for me as well as we wait for the great day of our Lord Jesus Christ!

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