“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3)

Jude calls salvation “common” not that it was ordinary, but because all of God’s children are saved the same way, by grace. Having started the letter to teach the doctrines of grace, Jude is now moved by the Spirit to encourage his readers to not depart from that faith, or doctrine, of salvation that was delivered by Jesus and the apostles. Jude wants them to contend for the doctrine by which he just described them in the opening of the letter.

The word contender has the idea of a boxer seeking to be the best. We can never think that this battle is not raging all around us. The enemy is always active. Therefore, we must always be on guard.

We are not fighting for our eternal salvation but we are fighting to keep a sense of peace and comfort in that salvation. The battle is for our minds. When we focus on the grace of God and our personal discipleship, we win the battle. As soon as we lose focus, we sink just like Peter did in the sea.

I used to think my practical sanctification was like walking up stairs. When I focused on God and lived right, I got closer to Him step by step. I devoted myself more and more to Him each day. When I would lose my focus and wander off into sin, I though I could come back later and just pick up in my walk where I left off. What I soon realized is that our sanctification is more like running up a down escalator. When we stop running toward God (earnestly contending), then the world drags us away from Him instantly.

To write a letter to a group of people where there is no doctrinal dispute or contention would be a joyful and peaceful undertaking. However, because of false teachers that have crept into the churches, Jude must tell the believers to defend the doctrines of grace and the reputation of their sovereign Savior. His message to true believers is that they need to remember that they are saved and secure in Christ, and remember how they got there. It wasn’t by their own works or faith. It was in the power of God alone.