Constructing & Contending | Jude 24-25 | J. Allen Mashburn

The book of Jude begins with the appeal to "earnestly contend for the faith." Prior to verse 20 Jude had been focusing attention upon false prophets who had defected from the faith. For the most part, in the previous verses, he has been directing the believers attention to evil others. Now he directs them to look within themselves. He says, "but you…."

What about you?

What is the state of your soul?

While contending for the faith what are you doing to strengthen yourself in the faith?

There are people who are so busy ferreting out heresy and hunting heretics that they have neglected to keep themselves in the love of God.

The counterpart of contending for the faith is constructing upon the faith. We are to be building at the same time we are battling. To contend without constructing or to construct without contending is an imbalance. We must do both. If the warrior is weak the war will be lost!

Therefore Jude concludes his little letter by saying, "But you, beloved, building your selves up on your most holy faith…."