"For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (v.4)
Jude’s purpose in his letter was twofold: 1) he wanted to expose the fase teachers that had infiltrated the Christian community, and 2) he wanted to encourage Christians to stand firm in the faith and fight for the truth. Jude recognized that false teachers often peddled their wares unnoticed by the faithful, so he worked to heighten the awareness of the believers by describing in vivid detail how terrible dissenters actually were.
But, more than simply raising awareness, Jude thought it important that believers stand against those working against Jesus Christ. Believers were to do this by; remembering the teaching of the apostles (v.17-19), building each other up in the faith (v.20a), praying in the Holy Spirit (v.20b), and keeping themselves in the love of God (v.21).
What a great example for us to follow today on how to “defend the truth.” Yes there will always be those who will look to distort the truth, but we need follow Jude’s exhortation of; keeping ourselves in the love of God, in prayer, in fellowship, and in His Word - Ready to defend the truth.
The Truth: “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15)
