Once for All

Jude Series - Part II - Chapter IV

This week we’re continuing with a new chapter in the Jude Series. This series is all about a much-misunderstood and oft-forgotten book of the Bible. In Part II we’re looking at Jude’s introduction and the reason the letter was written in the first place. This is Chapter IV of Part II, in an online ‘serialised book’ which I’m releasing slowly over the next year, alongside other series including The Featherlight Devotionals and Why Read the Bible?

To check out other instalments in the Jude Series so far, click here:

“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.”

Christian Standard Bible, (Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Jude 3

I just walked past a moat. Not a stream, or a naturally occurring tributary, but a purpose built medieval style moat. It isn’t defending a castle, or a national treasure, but the local Porsche dealer. It might seem overkill, but I think it makes a lot of sense. Over the past week we’ve had significant local and national storms, and of the six buildings in the area, this is one of only two that hasn’t experienced any flooding at all—the other is McDonalds… which isn’t important, but quite funny.

I’ll certainly never own a Porsche or any kind of sports car, but if I did, I think I’d do everything I could to look after it. If I was in charge of looking after 100+ Porsches…I think I might build a moat too.

A couple of weeks ago we looked at this same verse—Jude 3—and at what might have been written had Jude followed his own will. This week we look forward to what has been written, particularly with a view of what is being defended, and why. In light of what’s to come, it is important that we dig in now, figure out what’s at stake, and understand our part in it.

First off, what does “once for all” mean, and how was it given? In the book of Hebrews—a sermon written for the benefit of all believers—the preacher tells us that “In these last days, [God] has spoken to us by his Son.” (Hebrews 1:2 CSB)

Since those days, two things occurred that have continued without ceasing.

Firstly, the church has delivered the gospel from disciple to disciple, through the power of the Spirit. Secondly, the enemy has assailed the church and her message in every conceivable way.

This faith delivered or handed down by the Apostles and those who came after them, came with a duty to defend that gospel against the enemy and his servants. The message and the mission wasn’t given to the few, but the many, once and for all.

Worry not. God has not left us unprepared or unarmed for this conflict.

The Forge

“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armour of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armour of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

CSB Eph 6:10-13

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he encourages them to “put on the full armour of God.” This included:

• Truth like a belt around your waist (v14)

• Righteousness like armour on your chest (v14)

• Sandals of readiness to share the gospel of peace (v15)

• The shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one (v16)

• Take the helmet of salvation (v17)

• Sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. (v17)

I have seen children fend off the lies of the enemy with these tools, and I have met elderly saints with scorch marks across the whole of their shields, and still holding them high. You’re probably somewhere between those two extremes. Can you imagine bearing that armour? It was made for you. It fits you. That belt doesn’t have a dozen holes so that just anyone can wear it, there’s one, and it fits only one body.

The body of Christ.

With that armour on, how to we prepare for the battle ahead?

“Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” (v18)

When I used to work in a Kindergarten, the other teachers would call me, “the Lion.” Whenever we went out on school trips, they would remark that the kids were like my cubs, they felt safe and wanted to play, but I was always on guard. Part of my job was to enthuse and educate the kids, and the other part was to protect them. As Christians, we should live lives of love. We should enjoy one another’s company, eat together, laugh together. We should train one another up in the word of God. We should also be ever aware of the dangers of the world, both for ourselves and for those around us. Lift one another up. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Pray for your leaders, just as Paul and asked the Ephesians to pray for him.

“Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.” (v19-20)

The Gifts

“At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will”

Hebrews 2:4 CSB

In addition to the armour he gave us to defend ourselves, God pours out gifts upon his people. These gifts aren’t for our glory, but for his. When God gives us a gift, whether that be hospitality, or preaching, or wisdom, these gifts are of very little use when not used in community. What use is hospitality in an empty house, or preaching to vacant pews?

If God has gifted you—which if you’re a believer, he has—then use that gift in accordance with his will. Imagine if everyone in your church used their gifts for God’s glory, and the good of his people just next Sunday alone. What difference would that make? Go, therefore, trusting the Lord as you do.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit”

Christian Standard Bible (Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Ga 5:22–25

I’ve spoken elsewhere about the fruits of the Spirit, and how they coalesce, but this might well be the most important factor. Many armoured, gifted men and women have torn through countries, cities, and churches over the millennia, because they were lacking in the fruits of the Spirit. Lacking in patience. Without joy. Living in unfaithfulness, no sense of gentleness, and not a hint of self-control.

Satan will try with all his might to uproot and de-fruit your life.

Trust in the God who is your firm foundation, and don’t try and bear fruit in your own strength. Look for people to love and bring them into your times of joy. Find people who are rich in the fruits that you’re lacking, and learn from them. Pray with them, and for them. Thank God for his fruit in their lives.

Final Words

We will never do this perfectly this side of heaven, but it is easy to feast on God’s goodness when we’re surrounded by an abundance of his fruit.

Remember that this is the first word, not the last. God hasn’t only given us the faith once for all, but also once and for all, it is done, it is finished. We have a moat around us, but there’s also a drawbridge. Jesus opened that bridge when he died and rose again, and we are to call God people out of the darkness, into the safety of the light, to enjoy the grace God has already given us.

“In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.”

Christian Standard Bible, (Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Eph 1:13–14.

Grace and Peace,

Adsum Try Ravenhill

The Raven's Writing Desk

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