PRESERVING MERCIFUL, PEACEFUL LOVE WHILE EARNESTLY CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH
Text: Jude 1:2-3
“Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. 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 1:2-3).
This common salvation is available for everyone today. The faith is the body of teachings and doctrines that Christ has given the Church. And we are to protect, preserve, conserve, and contend for this faith — not with human energy or force, but in love, with peaceful and merciful love while contending for the faith.
1. Experiencing the Mercy, Peace and Love of Christ
Text: Jude 1:2
“Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.” (Jude 1:2).
It is when we receive mercy that we are able to give out that mercy to everyone. We need peace in the heart before we can relate to other people in the peace of God. And as Christ, the Prince of Peace, reigns in our hearts and lives, we are able to give out that peace to others. Then we need the love of Christ before we can relate to other people.
- The Mercy of God for Penitents at Conversion – Jude 1:2,21; Proverbs 28:13; Matthew 9:13
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13).
The penitents are those who repent from their sins and turn unto the Lord. They must not go back to those sins. Confession and forsaking are both required to obtain the mercy of God.
- The Peace of God for the Pardoned at the Cross – Colossians 1:20-21; Ephesians 2:13-17; Hebrews 2:17
“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself …” (Colossians 1:20-21).
Through Christ’s death, peace with God is secured. Reconciliation brings peace with Him and with one another. Malice and hatred have no place where true peace abides.
- The Love of God for All People in Christ – 1 John 4:9-11; Romans 5:1-2,5; 1 John 3:15-18
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him …” (1 John 4:9-11).
Christ’s sacrificial love calls us to show practical love to others. True salvation removes hatred and replaces it with Christlike compassion and generosity.
2. Embracing Multiplied Mercy, Purposeful Peace and Liberating Love with Consecration
Text: Jude 1:2
“Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.” (Jude 1:2).
- Impacted by the God of Mercy – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Matthew 18:23-35; James 2:13
The God of mercy comforts us so that we may comfort others. As He forgives us, we are to forgive and show mercy to others.
- Indwelt by the God of Peace – Philippians 4:7-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 13:20-21
The God of Peace sanctifies and dwells in us, making us perfect in His will. Without His peace, perfection is impossible.
- Infused by the God of Love – 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 John 4:8-16; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
God is love, and when He dwells in us, His love constrains us to live no longer for ourselves, but for Him and for others.
3. Earnestly Contending Without Being Mercilessly, Painfully, Lawlessly Contentious
Text: Jude 1:2-3; 1 Corinthians 11:16
“Beloved, … exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3).
How to Earnestly Contend Without Being Contentious (E.A.R.N.E.S.T.)
- E – Embrace the Doctrine of Christ for life – 2 John 1:9-11
- A – Avow Total Dedication to Christ with loyalty – John 6:60,66-69
- R – Resist Tempting Deviations from Christ – 2 Timothy 4:10,17-18
- N – Nurture Thoughtful Decision for Christ till the end – 1 Timothy 4:6
- E – Exemplify True Discipleship with love – Matthew 10:24-25,37-39
- S – Stand for the Timeless Distinctives of Christ – Matthew 24:35; 5:43-44
- T – Treasure the Doctrine of Christ among all believers – 1 Timothy 4:6,15-16; 6:3-5
