Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.
Jude 1:3 NIV
Contend for the Faith
Macklin Celebrini’s incredible second season in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks assured him a spot on Team Canada for the Olympic Winter Games in Italy this past February. The 19-year-old from North Vancouver, British Columbia, was one of the 25 players named by Canada to its Olympic roster in their efforts to contend for a gold medal. Celebrini was one of six players on Canada’s Olympic team that had not played for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-off a year earlier.
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Those involved in sports understand the word “contend.” They work hard on gaining whatever the ultimate prize is in their sport – Paul often used sports as an analogy for the Christian life. We who love Jesus are called to work hard at speaking up for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We live in a part of the world that is increasingly secular, with no knowledge about Jesus and certainly no experience of the transformed life that He alone brings. At the same time there are many who oppose Him and work hard at doing all they can to belittle Him and cast doubt on the good news of His redemptive death and resurrection. So, Jude’s message is as vital today as it ever was. In Jude 1:3 we read, “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” Jude’s call is as important today as it was in his day. We, too, are called to faithfully speak up for Jesus and the Gospel.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley