BUILT-UP ON OUR HOLY FAITH

“But you, beloved, BUILDING yourselves UP on your MOST HOLY FAITH, praying in the Holy Spirit” – Jude 20

Making God-glorifying Impact also demands being BUILT-UP on our HOLY FAITH: “But you, beloved, BUILDING yourselves UP on your MOST HOLY FAITH, praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20). Yesterday, we meditated on the charge “to contend earnestly for the FAITH” (Jude 3). Paul charged Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith” as a soldier of God in pursuit of holy living, persistent service, and defending the gospel (1Tim.6: 11-21). He encouraged Believers in Corinth to see themselves as running to obtain the prize and fighting with precision (1 Cor.9: 24-27). He charged the Philippians to “stand fast in the one Spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phi.1:27).

To contend earnestly for the Faith is therefore to FIGHT, RUN, and STRIVE!

In a practical sense, Jude sets out how to contend for the Faith:

Build yourself up in Holy Faith (v.20a). We are to keep pressing ourselves to grow spiritually. A major part of spiritual development involves reading, studying, and meditating in God’s Word, to know and understand it: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD of TRUTH” (2Tim.2:15). Faith comes and grows by hearing and doing the Word of God (Rom.10:17). God’s inspired Word has the power to teach, train, rebuke, and correct us in righteousness so that as God’s servants we are wholly equipped for every good work (2Tim.3: 16-17).

Pray in the Holy Spirit (v.20b). As we pray by inspiration and under the direction of the Holy Spirit, we receive help in our human weakness to understand God’s Truth and not be deceived by false ministers: “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom.8:26).

Keep yourself in God’s Love (v.21a). Staying in God’s Love means living by faith and obedience to God. Our Lord said, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10). We obey God because He has captivated our hearts and won our allegiance (Rom.6:17). The ultimate expression of our obedience to God is shown through our loving others (1 John 3:11-24; 1 Pet.1:22).

Wait with Hope: “Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (v.21b). To contend for the faith, we must keep the fire of Hope alive in our hearts, living every moment with the confident expectation of our Lord’s return: “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Tit.2:13). We make God-glorifying Impact in Time, in the Light of Eternity!

We come full cycle – Built-up in Faith, Rooted in Love, and Alive in Hope!