CONTEND and CONTINUE

Jude

Inspired thots:

I am reminded of WHY I believe, WHO I believe and WHAT I must continue on with based on WHAT I believe. It will be challenging times round the corner, if not already here. The hand of God is at work! Mount Merapi! Natural disasters occurring so frequently nowadays.
Watch the Signs.

Never impacted me that Jude was one of Jesus' brother. Though the whole earthly sibling gang was against Jesus, but I suppose by God's grace, they too saw and believed. Praise God!
Yes, loved ones are important for salvation too! Having received, freely give... Jude did that!

CONTEND for the Faith! v3 - Jude spurs me on to continue in the faith I have in Christ; not just to continue only, but to Contend for it! Fight for it, stand up for it, Continue well in it! Now is the time for OFFENSE and not DEFENSE. If I do not CONTEND, it will be harder to CONTINUE in the faith; for there will be more Opposers and Deviators who will detract one from the faith. v7 Yes, Ps has reminded us that others will claim 'it is ok to keep sinning' because one can fall back on the grace of God (Rom. 6:1)

v7-16 list the many examples recorded in the bible how those who are against God have already been marked for judgment, and serve as a reminder to me that it is established by God to judge; and so, all the more I need to CONTINUE and CONTEND for my faith!
As usual, envy and contention will lay snares across my path to detrack me and God's people, and we need to be standing strong in our faith for the Lord.

v19 - How awful to be liken to animals! ~ having natural instincts but no Spirit. John 14 tells of the way of the Spirit for our right living (John 4:24)

v20 - Jude encourages God's people to:
1) 'BUILD yourself UP in your MOST Holy faith' (1 Peter 1:16)
2) 'PRAY in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 8:26)
This is truly encouraging to ME to be reminded HOW to continue in my faith and to Contend for it; yes, I am spurred on to pray in the Spirit more these days! May the Lord grant me understanding with it.

Having stand firm, help others to do the same. v22 It's not all about me - it's about others too, whom God also loves.