So I was reading the book of Jude and I have to be honest, I didn’t think there was much to it because it’s only a page or two long. But as I read it, Father opened my eyes to a few things. In verse 3, the author says, “although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Two things stuck out to me: First, that he was eager to write about salvation, but he felt differently. Reading that, I think Father moved him, changed his mind. Then the author was willing to be moved for Father’s will. The other thing that stuck out was that he felt he had to urge people to contend for the faith. I have always felt as though there are times when I should enter conversations in order to “defend” my beliefs, but to “contend” for something gives another impression. Contend: to struggle in opposition, to strive in rivalry, to strive in debate. Am I the only one who has never thought about defending the faith this way? Reading the definition, and seeing it in the context of verse 3 fires me up to learn the word for the purpose of contending for the faith. Verses 8-10 compare Micheal the archangel and his conversation with satan, to the godless men and the way the way they speak. As I read how the godless men ”speak abusively against whatever they do not understand,” I was reminded of Ephesians 4:15, ” Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” It made me think of the words I choose, not just with strangers but with my friends and family. It inspires me to think before I speak not because it’s an old saying but because I don’t want to be like the godless men. I only made it through the first part of the book, but I’m pretty sure tommorrow I’m going to finish it, unless Father tells me otherwise.
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December 1, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Shoe
Ohhhh… the tongue. Read James lately?
Chapter 3 starting at verse 6:
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
It is mighty and can contend mightily. Go for it Marshall. I look forward to what God shows you in the rest of this mighty little book.
December 2, 2008 at 9:17 am
chandlerp
Thats great insight. The part that really stood out to me was contending for my faith as opposed to defending. I wonder if contend has a forward moving or active connotation as opposed to a defend which is waiting, still being prepared but waiting for the battle to come to you.