“Beloved, when I have 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. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 3-4).
What is clear from these two verses is that error was being promoted and it served as an immense complication for the ongoing efforts of God’s children. Error could not be tolerated and inspiration cited the need for boldness in facing that error head-on and contending earnestly for the faith. What is likewise clear, though, is the manner in which that defense needed to be administered.
Amazingly, many assume that we have the right to confront error not out of love and concern, but out of spite and contempt. Wrath, not just for error, but toward those who espouse error has among many become normal. Rather than lovingly seeking to restore their brethren to truth and saving their souls, the concerns of many are steered more toward assassinating characters and promoting self. Seeing the bitterness of those involved in such and desiring to avoid it in their own lives, many others will avoid contending for truth altogether believing it will only lead them down the same road. And standing back and surveying it all we ask the question where the balance lies? The Bible’s answer is that attitude makes all the difference.
I must have an attitude of concern not contempt. Religious, doctrinal error is the single most dangerous weapon in Satan’s arsenal of evil; because it not only affects those who despise truth, but also those who sincerely are seeking truth. It is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, lying in wait and anticipating its prey. And knowing the immense danger it represents to all mankind, but especially our brethren in the faith, we should have a honest and earnest concern for all, especially those who do fall prey. It is that error that will cause an individual to experience eternal death if they are not plucked from the fire (James 5:20). Are we concerned for their soul or contemptuous toward them. Some have more wrath for the sinner than for the sin and its origin, and such will show no productivity in the overall efforts to contending earnestly for the faith. It is the attitude of concern, not contempt, that will make all the difference.
I must have an attitude of affection not apathy. The concern that is absolutely necessary to effectively discharge Jude’s command must be rooted in something, and the only two choices are love or hate. Common sense dictates that concern is not going to grow out of hate, but out of love or affection. It is a natural response to the Hebrews writer’s plea to “let brotherly love continue” (Hebrews 13:1). Love will lead to action, but the indifference of apathy will end with inaction. The person who feels no sense of loyalty or love will feel no responsibility in warning the soul found in error. The attitude of affection, not apathy is going to make the difference.
I must have an attitude of self piety not self promotion. The word “piety” refers to a devotion to a particular cause realized to be much bigger than self. That is the will of God and the work of the church—both are much larger than self. And protecting the will of God and work of the church serves as an act of self piety. Some, though, look at rebuking error and those who teach it as an act of self-promotion. There are people who are so hungry for power and influence that nothing and nobody is too important for them to tread over on their way to the top. James’ plea for humility is lost to them as they seek the glories they believe await them (James 4:10). Such an attitude proves to be counterproductive, though, because self piety, not self promotion, will make all the difference.
Two men went to the same congregation seeking the opportunity to work with them. On successive Sundays each preached on the reality of the rich man’s anguish in torment’s flame (Luke 16:19-31). Each taught the truth, but after the leadership met they unanimously decided to hire the first candidate. An inquiring member asked one of the elders how it was they were able to reach a unanimous decision when each man did such an outstanding job. The elder’s answer was telling. “The second,” he said, “did do an outstanding job, as did the first. Both preached Lazarus to heaven and the rich man to hell. The difference was that when the first preached the rich man to hell he did so with regret, knowing the horrors that awaited him. When the second preached the rich man to hell he did so with the thought that it was good enough for him. It was attitude that made all the difference.”