The Once-For-All Faith

The opening of Jude’s epistle gives a clear command to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). This isn’t always the easiest command to follow, particularly in a time when many in the church seem to prefer “winsomeness” over all else, and calls for doctrinal purity are dismissed as mere “contentiousness.” But we must follow it all the same. Notice how many of the hymns we sing this morning encourage us to boldness in the faith. We declare that the Lord’s truth has “at all times firmly stood” (All People That On Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100), and we ask Him to fill our hearts with courage in the face of foes and false witnesses (O Lord, Teach Me To Follow You—Psalm 27). We look forward to seeing “truth prevail over unbelief” (Speak O Lord). We realize that contending for the faith may even require us to confront “false sons” within the church itself (The Church’s One Foundation). We see the truth set up for us like a banner, and under this flag the Lord will have His victory (O God You Have Rejected Us—Psalm 60). We acknowledge that many have fought this fight before us (For All The Saints), and we pledge to follow the path of our fathers in the faith (God Of Our Fathers). But though we must fight against falsehood and error within the church, perhaps the greatest area to contend for the faith is within our own hearts. We are all “prone to wander” (Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing) from the truths “once for all delivered.” —Henry C. Haffner