#60 THE FAITH ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED 8-30-26
The Christian faith is wonderfully settled. Jude tells us to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Notice the language. The faith was delivered, and it was delivered once for all. Jude was not speaking merely about believing in something. He was speaking about the body of truth entrusted to God’s people. Christianity is not an unfinished revelation waiting for someone today to add another prophecy, another doctrine, or another message from God. The faith has been delivered to us through the apostles and the inspired Word of God (Ephesians 2:20; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
This does not mean that we have learned everything there is to know about God. We can continue studying, growing, learning, and discovering the depths of God’s truth. But there is a difference between growing in our understanding of the faith and adding to the faith. We are called to search the Scriptures, examine what we hear, and hold fast to what is good (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). We do not need new revelation because God has already spoken to us in His Son and has given us the apostolic testimony concerning Him (Hebrews 1:1–2). Our responsibility is not to wait for another word from heaven, but to faithfully obey the Word God has already given.
Therefore, we should contend for the faith, but we must do it with the spirit of Christ. Contending does not mean being cruel, arrogant, or argumentative. Jude calls us to stand firmly for the truth while Scripture calls us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The faith once delivered is not merely a collection of doctrines to defend. It is the gospel centered in Jesus Christ, producing lives marked by faith, holiness, love, and obedience. We do not need something new to make Christianity complete. We need to faithfully live what God has already delivered. The question is not, “What new message can I discover?” The question is, “Am I faithfully believing, teaching, and living the faith God has already given?”
BDD
