A faith that is worth fighting for.

While visiting a local fair, a group of friends found themselves on a wild rollercoaster ride. Amidst the screams and laughter, one friend leaned over and shouted about how this ride was like their faith—full of ups and downs but worth every moment. Their enthusiasm spread as others laughed along, showcasing that even in the midst of life’s uncertainty, joy can be found in the faith we’re willing to fight for! A young boy was determined to defend his prized toy from his older sister. Every day, after school, he would set up 'guard duty' near his room, holding a stick as a sword, ready to fight for what he loved. His antics made everyone laugh, but it also showed that sometimes, even the little things in life are worth standing up for. Just like that boy, our faith is a treasure worth guarding and fighting for, no matter how silly it may seem to others!

Who is Jude? Jude or Judas was the brother of the Lord according to the book of Matthew 13:55. But why didn’t he say that he is the brother of Jesus Christ? Instead, he says that he is the servant of Jesus Christ. I believe that Jude has the upper respect of just call his self the brother of Lord. He must remember that Jesus’ brothers once did not believe in him (John 7:1-5). The brothers sarcastic said to Jesus to go to Jerusalem to show your works, take your Disciples with you. because this work cannot be in secret. One upon a time they though that he was crazy. Maybe they though that Jesus was full of his self. I don’t know the reason. The brothers fought again him. In Matthew 12:28, someone told Jesus that his mother and brothers wants to talk to him. Jesus’ response, who is my mother, and who is my brothers? I am sure that the brothers were mad.

After the resurrection, Jude became a believer of Jesus Christ. Jude known as a traveling preacher at this time. We must understand that your own family may starting off not to believe in your ministry. Why? Maybe you are growing up with them, they cannot look past who you are. Maybe they hate something you did when growing up. Whatever the case, Jesus understands the situation. But you must have patience with them. Now, Jude came from fighting against the Lord to fight for the Lord.

Jude was writing this letter original to talks about their common faith. Sometimes we have one message in our mind to give to the people, we want to talk about the thing that we share. We want to talk about the good things all the time. But when you are a servant of Jesus Christ, then there will be time when your message will change. If we are follower of Jesus Christ, we must let him to take the lead role. Think about it, we are not preaching the gospel of self, but the gospel of Jesus Christ. Time out for talking about self-more than talking about the Lord. If you preach of self, then you are not preaching the gospel. Therefore, you are more a motivation speaker than a preacher. If Christ is not in it, then it is not the gospel. Paul says to let it be a curse.

God is using Jude to encouragement the saint to earnestly contend for the faith. Jude encourages the saint to contend or combatant for the faith. Combatants mean to fight or to defend. Fight for the faith that once entrusted of the people of God. It is so funny that we can defend our favorite team, celebrity, etc. but stay quiet when comes time to defend the Gospel. Who are we fighting against? Jude says that there are certain men crept in unawares. These men have wormed their way in to your church. These are men who are doomed to be judge by God. Now these men are trying to take more people down with him. These men are turning the grace of our Lord God into lasciviousness, or license to sin. They will tell you that it is ok to continue in sin and still have the grace of God. Paul begs the different. In Romans 6:1, Paul stated that shall we continue in sin that we may keep the grace of God. Paul replied, “no, God forbid”. Not only that, but they are also denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude encourages the saint to fight for the faith as Paul to his son in the gospel, Timothy to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12), and Peter in 1 Peter 3:15, encourages the people in the mist of persecution to always to be ready to make a defense of the gospel. This fight is not fisted to face but by the word of God, as Jesus use the word of God to fight again the devil (Matthew 4). We need to be ready to defend the gospel against anyone who are trying to twist the word of God. For us to stay in this fight, we must be sober (1 Peter 5:8).

Jude is giving the Church of God the signs of someone who trying to lower people out the ark of safety. Watch out of the people who are trying to talk you out of the place where God put you. Depending on where you stay, certain part of the city may have Coyote problem. The HOA people or the mayor may tell you if you have a small dog, be sure you keep an eye on them. Don’t leave them outdoor alone. Why? Because there is a coyote outdoor. Coyote will appear to be a nice animal, they will play with the small dog, and lead it out of their safety place. After he led the small dog out of its protection, then the coyote will kill the dog. These certain men are like the coyote. They will be nice. They will appear to be care person, like they are looking out of you interest. After building trust then he will talk you out of leaving the house of God.

Paul encourages us in Romans 16:17-18, to mark those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: turn away from them. Jude shows some examples in his letter. One is the who once believed and seen all what God can do, now lost trust in God. The people of Israel have seen all of God miracles. They have seen how God have deliver them by his strong hand, yet they still don’t trust and believe them. The Lord destroyed them because they did not believe in him. Rather by snake bite or generation dying off. Disbelief is affected because it is easy to catch. Satan always use disbelief to stir up the people. Satan do not care for you. He only using you to get where he wants to go. Lucifer deceived a third of the angels. Therefore, they lost their spot (Isaiah 14:12). Satan is using people every day, and people do not notice it.

There are some who have the spirit of Cain. Cain murder his brother because he is jealous of Abel (Genesis 4). Because Abel gave a better offering to God than Cain. Yes, they may not physical murder anyone, but they destroy someone reputation, because they can’t stand that person without a cause. Lying on the person. Because they see that God is blessing the person, they are jealous. You are a murder if you do this thing. You are no difference than Cain.

There are some who got the spirit of Balaam. In Number 22-24, Balaam were hired by King Balak, the King of Moab, to curse the people of God. Balaam find out that he cannot curse the people if he tries. He tries to go to the hill and to the valley, but he cannot do it. Balaam know he cannot curse the people of God. So later, Balaam figured out a way to get his reward for Balak. He advised the Moabites on how to entice the people of Israel with prostitutes and idolatry. Someone will put something in the way for you to trip. some people will do anything to get over on you. They will use other to do their dirty work, but they will get their reward.

There are some who have the spirit of Core (Korah)(Number 16-17). Core or Korah denying that Moses is God spokesmen. He and 250 Levites against the monopoly of the priesthood claimed by Aaron. Core have people to go against Moses and Aaron. Someone will talk to you about your leader. They will boost you up saying that you preach better than you leader. Just because you are an Elder, that do not mean you are a leader. Many can preach, but a bad leader. God appoint leader, not the organization. They will use you to do their dirty work. They can not stand on their own. They need back up to overthrow the leader. When God appoint a leader, he will also make sure they stand.

These certain men have the nerve to be in the mist of the people eating and fellowership with the people. The love feast is a feast when believe get together to eat, fellowship, pray, and read the scripture. They have the nerve to eat up the food and talking about the leader who pay for the food. These men or cloud without water, or all promise but no deliver, they are toss to every doctrine, church hopper, etc. These people are not ashamed neither.

There will be people who complain and saying the Lord is not coming (2 Peter 3:3-4). We must pray up and keep on the armour of God. Keep preaching. Someone will come back to God.

God want us to be watchful. He wants us to pay attention to the attack of the enemy. God knows that the enemy is trying to blend in with the saith. God know that the enemy want to get him back. God is not ignorant of any Satan’s devices. Neither should we. Satan will use people who we are close to divide the church of God. We must build up our most holy faith. Praying in the Holy Ghost.

Home can sometimes feel like a battleground where the pressures of everyday life challenge your faith. If family members are struggling with their beliefs or feeling disheartened, initiate a daily devotion time that includes scripture reading, prayer, and personal sharing. Focus specifically on faith lessons that resonate with your family’s current struggles, whether it's stress from school or work. Create a safe space for each person to express doubts or questions. This intentional time can reinforce the idea that faith is something to actively engage with and fight for together.