Jude wrote, “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude v.3).

Some become fixated on the words “contend for the faith,” and become quite contentious, following a “scorched earth” policy as they seek impose their image of the faith upon all who profess the name of Christ. They become what one commentator described as the “anti-sectarian sects.”

Jude would be appalled, for he wrote: “Building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh (Jude vv. 18-23).