Jude 1:3 “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.”
The little book of Jude is not addressed to any particular group of believers because it needed to be addressed to the Christians of all ages. The Lord impressed upon Jude’s heart an urgency to write this letter, which is seen in the phrases: “I gave all diligence,” and “it was needful for me.”
Jude’s apparent purpose in writing this letter is to ensure that Christians will “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered.” Even in his lifetime many false teachers had already risen (vs. 4-). The things that must be perpetuated and defended are the doctrines (teachings) that were given to us from the Holy Spirit through the apostles and others who wrote the Bible. They cannot be subject to reinterpretation or individual opinions. Bible truth came directly from God (inspired – II Timothy 3:16).
He first speaks of “the common salvation.” It is common because it is the same for everyone. It does not matter if the person is Jewish or a Gentile, white or black (or any other color), tall or short, young or old, smart or simple, etc. Nor does it matter if they live in America, China, Africa, or anywhere else. Jesus Christ “came into the world to save sinners” (I Timothy 1:15) – all of them – if they will respond to His invitation to come to Him and be saved.
This truth must be defended vigorously. It is the only way of salvation – no matter who you are. Peter testified: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
The plain Bible teaching of salvation is but one of the many doctrines (truths) that God gave us in His Word. To compromise it, or not share it, means that people cannot experience the life-changing and saving power of God to forgive, cleanse, and make whole (a “new creature”) – one that will be a true child of God.
Christian, can you defend the faith you say you believe? “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15).