By: Gen. Jim – 4/2/26
According to the New World Dictionary of American English defines “confrontational”: 1) to face; stand or meet face-to-face, 2) to face or oppose boldly, defiantly; or antagonistically; 3) to bring face-to-face (with) [to confront one with the facts]; 4) to set side-by-side to compare;
“Comfortable”: 1) providing comfort or ease; 2) in a state of comfort; at ease in body or mind; contented; 3) sufficient to satisfy; adequate. As per the word “comfort”, one definition is anything that makes life easy or comfortable.
Where O Where?
I ask, where in the N.T. do we find Scripture that tells the believer to be COMFORTABLE? Yet this “spirit” permeates the “Fun in the Son” church.
Jude 3
What did Jude, the brother of James, mean by “contend earnestly for the faith.”
“… I found it necessary to write to you (the called, vs. 1) exhorting you to CONTEND EARNESTLY for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” – NKJV;
“… I was compelled to write to you [urgently] appealing that you FIGHT STRENUOUSLY for [the defense of] the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith that is the sum of Christian belief that was given verbally to believers].” – Amp. Bible; Most versions use the word “contend”, Greek, epagōnizmai, signifies “to contend about a thing, as a combatant (epi, upon or about, intensive, agōn, a contest), to fight”. The word “earnestly” or “strenuously” is added to convey the intensive force of the preposition.
There are two other Gk. words, athleō & diakrinō, that means to strive/contend in the games, to contend with Satan (e.g., “Michael… in CONTENDING with the devil…” – vs. 9. (diakrinō)
Why, we ask, has the Church for the most part decided NOT to CONTEND against Satan/evil in the world. I just don’t read anywhere in the N.T. that the Christian believer is to continually be passive – aggressiveness is not taught. Not that everything is to be contentious, but too few actually contend for the faith. If they did, there would be no “politically correct”, “Woke” Church today. There would be no “prosperity” Church, no “idol worship” no “LGBTQ Church” etc. However, the Spirit (back in the CA. WAR zone, 1980s) taught us about passive/aggressive. There are times to be passive, but not all the time. There are times to be aggressive but not all the time. Balance. Some think that we are unbalanced. Well, if you were to read the thousands of articles we wrote, view the thousands of videos/DVDs we’ve recorded, hear the hundreds of CDs (for radio etc.) we’ve recorded, you will see that we are balanced.
All the N.T. authors (Jesus, who started this whole confrontational business), they all dealt with the sins/crimes of their day. I believe if the Church in the USA would have contended for the faith as Scripture teaches, we, as a nation, would not be in this MESS. It is so insane that people think men can get pregnant, have periods, girls transition to boys, boys transition to girls etc. And the MURDER of the pre-born is still ALIVE. And there would be no millions of militant Muslims/Communists et al. waiting to blow things up, kill innocents. There would be no satanist Church, no emergent Church either. The spirit over America has been “live & let live”. But these enemies of Christianity are not living – they are dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1, 2). The “Church” should have never gone passive whereby sin/sins ABOUND. The (few) ones that are aggressive for the faith – which includes a burden for the LOST – are called “radicals”, “troublemakers” “too militant”, “unloving”, “hateful”, a “dangerous militant Cult”, a dangerous paramilitary Cult” blah, blah, blah! Yep! These Church babies refuse to grow & go! So the burden of the few has to work/war pretty much alone.
2 Peter/Jude
Like 2nd Peter, Jude WARNS the readers, notwithstanding having been “once for all fully informed (Jude 5-7), of the danger to them of “ungodly persons who PERVERT the grace of our God into licentiousness & deny our only master.” (Jude 4, 8, 16). Their erroneous/false teachings were called “the way (hodos) of Cain” & “the error (planē) of Balaam”, implying departure from “the faith once for all delivered to the saints.”
While we have plenty / too many enemies without, we have the same within – antichrists – political & religious who subvert the truth. Apostasy abounds today. Well, in one sense, Church members are leaving these worldly, glorified whore houses (called Church). This is not apostasy but seekers for truth – aggressive truth, i.e., confrontational Christianity. These folks are no longer playing “Church” but have a burning desire to grow & go. Leave your baby pens & join the “army that sheds no blood”.
Our Faith
I for one will continue to contend for the truth. Let devils & demons howl & growl, the Truth will set the captives free! Jude 3 refers to this faith – it must be ACTIVELY maintained (“fought for”), & one should exert effort to build oneself up in it (vs. 20).
As I write this article, we have militant Islam /Communism /LGBTQ/Antifa et al. to deal with. The Muslims tell us that the U.S. Will Bow to Islam! They are trying to establish Sharia Law (see my many articles on Islam; be informed! One can’t contend against them unless one has some knowledge of their faith. Their faith DEMANDS that the WHOLE world submit to their dark-age religion/ideology.
Are you ready to fight for what is right? I speak not in physical confrontations but in Spirit/Word.
Enemies Within
Jude sought to contradict false teachings. The opponents advocate licentiousness – words denoting “ungodliness” are listed: 1) Gk. asebeia, Jude 15, 18; asebēs, vv. 4, 15; asebōs, vs. 15; aselgeia, vs. 4. Jude mandates both doctrinal & moral purity. There are Churches here in the U.S. that mock this. Just about every sin is either explained away or just ignored – just keep the $$ rolling in & the slipping, sipping saints happy as HELL!
God’s Grace
Without it none of us would make heaven. But God’s grace can run out if the “saint” / “saints” continue in ungodly/unlawful behavior. His grace does NOT LEGITIMATE any sort of behavior. No sir! His grace has limits. To appeal to His grace as a cover for sin is to “pervert” it & to “deny” the Lordship of Christ (vs. 4). Jude puts forth an example of Sodom & Gomorrah (vs. 7).
The Cure!
If we do fail God in any way, repent! This is the cure for moral laxity. One minister mockingly said, “Repent over what?”, while his whole (MEGA) Church reeked with sin & sinners.
Jude = Neglected Book
WE should be alarmed that Jude is so neglected – it exhorts the people to DEFEND the faith. Appeal: need to CONTEND for the faith; Occasion for appeal: false teachers identified & condemned (vs. 4). With all the criticism we’ve received over the years – from the Church – you would think we were teaching/preaching false doctrines & living immoral lives. No! We merely “fight for the faith” that is being trampled under the hoofs of Church swine. The Church (with exceptions) has been infiltrated & infected – perversions abound.
Jude points out the false teachers, the immoral conduct = God’s judgment will fall upon them. The “these” in Jude 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 19. (Gk., houtoi) refer to false teachers, present & past.
Our First Concern
It should be to GUARD our personal relationship with the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit. Jude 21 says we’re to “keep ourselves in the love of God…” If we grow cold, how can we set others afire? If we are backslid in heart how can we preach about prevailing in God?
The verb “keep” (vs. 21), tēreō, is also used in vss. 1, 6 (2 times), 13, which entails fulfilling certain Christian responsibilities (vs. 20) as well as maintaining an eschatologically oriented outlook (Jude 21).
2 Views
Jude 3 has been debated over & over. One prof. (in his book, Dict. of the Later N.T.) writes: “The athletic metaphor of the ‘fight for the faith’ does not suggest primarily the negative task of opposing the false teachers but refers, as in Paul, to the offensive contest of promoting the advance/victory of the Gospel.” He does admit that RESISTING the influence of the false teachers & their denial of the moral implications of the Gospel is part of the STRUGGLE for the Gospel.
Snatched Away?
No, I’m not referring to a pre-trib. “rapture” (see my many articles on this FALSE teaching – one I would have died for back in the 1970s but God showed me the TRUTH). I refer to Jude 23: “but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” – NKJV. The ASV has, “Snatching them out” as does other versions. Another version reads: “save some, by snatching them out of the fire.” [note: in my research, this text (vs. 23) has been presented by Clement of Alexandria, Jerome, the Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (c), & the Philoxenian Syriac contain only 2 clauses. Prof./author Moffatt regarded this as the best approximation of the original text: “Snatch some from the fire, & have mercy on the waverers, trembling as you touch them, with loathing for the garment which the flesh has stained.” (Moffatt N.T. Commentary, pp. 243, 244)
Fire!
The “fire” Jude wrote about, the imagery is found in Zech. 3:2-4, where Joshua is likened to “a brand snatched from the fire.” In Amos 4:11, 12 the reference of the imagery is to the WRATH of God visited upon Sodom & Gomorrah, & in Num. 16:1-35 & Ps. 106:17, 18 to the punishment of Korah. The “FIRE” from which Jude urges faithful Christians to SAVE SOME. Some believe “save some” may refer fig. to the indulgence of sexual passions encouraged by the heretical teachers. Clement of Alexandria believed this.
God alone SAVES the perishing. We just help in way of presenting the “Good News”. God works through the instrumentality of consecrated men/women (even boys/girls).
Martin Luther
He thought that in the 2 clauses of vs. 23 Jude distinguished between those whom one might save by “snatching them out of the fire” & those for whose salvation men could do nothing effective, but who would nevertheless excite the pity of Christians.
2 Peter & Jude take the approach of apocalyptic, so they mount polemics against it (2 Pet. 2:1-2; Jude 4-19). One Christian author used the words, “guard & grow”, guard/contend for the truth & grow in grace & knowledge of the Lord. Sadly, part of today’s Church does neither. They are content just going to a church, paying their tithes & singing their Church songs… while their pastor feeds them religious jello! If they have a missions department, they are happy to drop in a few coins, but don’t mind spending $$ on their stomach after Church.
So
Jude makes clear his purpose that his readers hold on to & CONTEND for their faith in the face of false teachers… an ongoing NEED in a pluralistic society. Some believe Jude is too harsh & unloving, his urgent tone, suggestive of imminent crisis. Well, consider Jesus, the preacher, was He always nice, loving? Hardly. Many of His lessons/sermons, His sermonic tone made many mad! Even the demons feared Him. Could we even imagine demons being afraid of some of these fancy-pants men & Jezebelian ladies. Demons love these hypocrites, these strutting studs & dazzling darlings we’re told to call “ministers”. Shame! Jude dealt with itinerant prophets or teachers who not only were teaching falsehood but were also sexually immoral (Jude 4, 6-8, 10, 16).
I don’t think I went overboard with Jude. Today’s Church needs better leaders that are dedicated, separated, & consecrated. CLEAR WARNINGS are given against diverting from “the truth” into false teachings (see Acts 20:28-32; 1 Jn. 4:1-6; 2 Jn. 7:11; 2 Pet. 2; Jude 3, 4 etc.).
Preserved in Christ
Jude begins his letter to “them that are sanctified by (or in God) the Father, & preserved in Jesus Christ & called” verse 1. By using the word preserved he meant those who CONTINUED UNSHAKEN in their faith. How many fall away, run away when the battle gets HOT? How many in our corps did this? TOO many. When confronted with the “Sword that Cuts & the Fire that Burns”, they chose the easy way out – blaming others for their AWOL! There are those (men/women) who we loved, spent our lives with in training for missions work, TURNED against us. Few said, “The training is just too hard, I can’t do it!”. Others not as honest made excuses, lied, in order to cover their lack of perseverance in their walk & war. Do we recall what Jesus said to His disciples when He washed their feet? John 13 describes this event: “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’” – Jn. 13:18. Later Jesus spoke these words: “But this happened that the Scripture (Word) might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’” – Jn. 15:25. (Ps. 35:19; 69:4; 109:3-5 should be read)
Enemies Within
Yep! These are the worse! Judas was such a person. It is even worse when one of your children turn against you. When Jesus stated, “he that eateth bread with Me hath lifted up his heel against Me.” – Jn. 13:18.
When we started this training corps, the Spirit told us plainly that some would fall away when the Sword/Fire began to do their work. Some would become bitter enemies. If we go back to Jn. 6:64 we hear what Jesus said, “there are some of you that believe not.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, & who should betray him.” We know who the betrayer was – Judas Iscariot.
We here are not alone in this. No! Just about every secular or religious body has had their “Judas” in their midst. We’ve had more than I want to count. Some have gone so far as to sue us, get us arrested-jailed! These poor souls think that if they get rid of us (Gen. Deborah & me), it proves they are right & we are wrong. How did that work out for Judas (et al.)? Even as I write this, some of these ones are bitter, stolid, impervious to the Spirit’s dealings, still set upon their purpose – DESTROY the Generals/ACMTC!!! You see, Judas’ betrayal of Jesus caused Jesus to be crucified. Before the cross, the “religious” establishment (Judaism) had “character assassins” within their ranks – make Jesus out to be a false prophet, false teacher, a CULT leader: not just a CULT leader but a DANGEROUS, DEMON INSPIRED CULT leader. It was the jealous leadership of Israel that wanted Jesus DEAD!
John 13:12
Jesus goes on to say, “I say unto you, that one of you shall betray Me,” vs. 21. There have been times when the Holy Spirit spoke to us (in a heated battle with both the “religious” & the “secular”), telling us what to do or not to do. There are other times we have been left in the dark.
What we do know is that no Christian is above their Master. Just as Jesus faced diabolical men, whose destiny is perdition, aka Hell!, we, His servants will face the same.
You see, not all enemies are without – there are some – too many – that are within.
And It Was NIGHT
Maybe you don’t get Jesus’ words, “That thou (Judas) doest, do quickly”, Jn. 13:27. Jesus had loved Judas but Judas didn’t love Him back. Judas was a soul dear to Him, like some of the ones we’ve had in our community – Jesus allowed Satan to possess Judas “… Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, ‘That thou doest, do quickly,’” vs. 27. When Judas received the sop, he went immediately out; AND IT WAS NIGHT,” vs. 30. Fitting indeed. When one is betrayed by a loved one, one feels the DARK of the hour.
Operation Infiltration
This is gonna happen sooner or later. We’ve experienced this too often; those who said they wanted to “Take Jesus to All the World”, had other motives – to undermine what God called us to do. Others have been grumblers & faultfinders who picked at this & that but never dealt with their own “sinful flesh”.
Jude 3, “CONTEND” for the faith, should not be put on the back-burner. No! That one word – CONTEND – tell it all: EXERT INTENSE EFFORT! Paul, in 1 Cor. 9:25, uses the word “competes for the prize” (athletic contests). In Jude’s letter he points to those who had infiltrated – wolves, ungodly people, perverters of God’s grace, immoral in the sexual realm.
Fin
Not only do we have to deal with the world’s people, but we must also deal with those, like Judas, who want to destroy God’s work. All organizations/denominations have to CONTEND with these. If they can’t get smut on you, they will engineer it. Oh, yeah, they make up both BIG & small lies. They will play the “victim” while all the time they are the oppressors. Peter sums it all up: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the FIERY TRIAL which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.” – 1 Peter 4:12