We have been infiltrated by influencers Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. For some people, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord. (Jude 3-4)

Who they are: ungodly, deceitful, immoral, and condemned

Their message:
Immorality: a desire is a destiny

• …they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality… (Jude 4)
• Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? (Romans 6:1-2 NLT)
• So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires… (1 Peter 1:14 NLT)

Deny the authority of Jesus

• …denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord. (Jude 4
• For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. (1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT)

The Danger

• …people, who were designated for this judgment long ago… (Jude 4)
• Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. (2 Peter 3:3 NLT)

What we must do!!

• …contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. (Jude 3)

Contend means:
Right belief: my authority…what we know

• Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. (Romans 12:2 NLT)
• Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. (Ephesians 4:14 NLT)

Right living: my lifestyle

• This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)
• For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (Philippians 2:13 NLT)

A loving lifestyle: my relationship

• This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. (1 John 4:10-11 NLT)

It’s time for show and tell!
…I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum. (Romans 15:19 NLT)

Reflection Question: In what areas am I doing well at contending for the faith? Where might I need improvement?