The Old Ways Still Work

The Old Ways Still Work

Jude 1-3

Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

Have you ever stopped to notice how quickly things around us change? Whether it's how people define truth, morality, or even identity, we live in a time where the lines keep shifting. It often leaves us wondering: is there anything solid left? Anything unchanging? As Christians, we might ask: what truly unites us? Is it our worship style? Our method of baptism? The Bible translation we favor? 

At the heart of our unity is something far deeper and more enduring than all these outward practices. Jude 1:3 gives us this central truth: ‘Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.’ This isn’t referring to a general sense of spirituality or vague belief. Jude is talking about one, clearly defined, fully delivered, and eternally sufficient faith—the apostolic faith. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Faith – A Defined Body of Truth 

This faith is not a religious flavor to choose or a spiritual buffet to sample. It is a specific body of truth. As Ulrich Zwingli wrote, ‘The summary of the gospel is that our Lord Jesus Christ, the true Son of God, has revealed the will of His heavenly Father to us, and with His innocence has redeemed us from death, and has reconciled us with God. Therefore, Christ is the only way to salvation for all those who have been, are, and will be.’

Jude’s phrase ‘once for all handed down’ implies that this gospel is settled. There is no version 2.0 coming. This is clear in passages like 1 Corinthians 15:3–4: ‘For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.’ Paul emphasizes two things here: he 'received' the message and then 'delivered' it—that is, the message originates with divine authority, not human invention.

This body of truth is centered on Christ crucified and risen. To tamper with or modernize this core gospel is to lose it. As Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches, ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.’ This gospel is all of grace: salvation is the undeserved gift of God, offered through faith, not earned by moral performance.

Do you trust in that grace? Not just mindlessly repeating creeds, as C.H. Spurgeon warned, but truly leaning your entire weight upon Christ? Spurgeon rightly said: ‘Do you trust in Jesus? That’s the real essence of belief… the kind of faith that leans back into the arms of Jesus.’

Application: In a world where ‘truth’ is increasingly shaped by feelings, preference, or social approval, we must ask ourselves: are we shaping our version of Christianity around our culture, or is our faith grounded in the unchanging Word of God? The gospel is not up for reinvention, only for belief and bold proclamation.

The old ways still work today—because the gospel hasn’t changed.

The Faith – Preserved Through the Church 

Not only is the faith defined, it is meant to be preserved. The apostolic pattern calls for faithful transmission from one generation to the next. In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul instructs Timothy: ‘The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.’ Paul doesn’t urge Timothy to innovate. He urges him to protect, preserve, and pass on the truth unchanged.

Acts 14:23 shows that shepherds, elders, and church leaders were appointed not to create new visions but to guard and nurture the flock in the truth. Their primary role was stewardship of Scripture, not theological creativity.

Throughout church history, we see the fruit of this stewardship. Irenaeus fought against Gnosticism by appealing to apostolic teaching—truth passed down, not invented. Athanasius defended the deity of Christ in the face of Arianism, not with novelty, but by holding fast to Scripture and the confessions of the early church. The Reformers, like Luther and Calvin, did not promote originality; rather, they

sought to recover ancient truths—Scripture alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone.

Application: What are we doing with the faith we’ve received? In our families, our churches, our discipleship—are we passing down the timeless gospel, or are we replacing it with something trendier but shallower? God’s Word is to be preserved, not polished. Our job isn’t to edit the faith; it’s to embody and transmit it faithfully.

The old paths still work today—because they've always been true.

The Faith – Contended For by Every Generation 

Jude’s imperative was not passive; he told the church to 'contend earnestly.' Why the urgency? Because the gospel is always under threat—not just from external enemies but from subtle internal drift.

Paul warns in Galatians 1:6–9: ‘I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ… for a different gospel… But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!’ This could not be more serious. To embrace or preach a false gospel isn’t a small mistake—it is spiritual treason. The gospel is not to be tweaked—not to add to our comfort, our popularity, or our ideological alignment.

2 Timothy 4:3–4 describes our current climate perfectly: ‘For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine… and will turn aside to myths.’ People want inspiration without instruction, affirmation without accountability, and spirituality without submission. But that isn't Christianity.

Application: Are you prepared to recognize theological error? Can you articulate the true gospel—not just what you believe, but why it matters? Contending for the faith isn’t about arguing on social media; it’s faithful living, sound teaching, and courageous witness, even when it costs us something.

The old ways still work today—because they’re worth defending.

The Faith – Applied in Our Churches Today 

How do we build faithful churches in this unstable world? The formula is already given. In Acts 2:42, the early Christians ‘were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.’ Their growth didn’t stem from clever marketing or cultural relevance. It came from deep devotion to truth, worship, community, and prayer.

Titus 2:1 echoes this principle: ‘But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.’ Paul isn’t urging Titus to merely entertain or inspire. The pastor is to teach doctrine that shapes lives and reflects the character of Christ.

This kind of faith forms a church not just informed—but transformed. It produces Christians who are bold, humble, generous, and joyful because their lives are rooted in the eternal truth of God’s Word.

The old ways still work today—because they still produce faithful saints to the glory of God.

Conclusion: Our Time to Contend 

The faith handed down to the saints is the same gospel that transformed hearts in Jerusalem, reformed Europe, ignited revivals around the world, and still calls this generation to stand firm. Jesus Christ is at the very center—fully God, crucified for sin, risen in power, reigning now, and returning soon.

This isn’t about preserving a style. It’s about heralding a Savior. We don’t cling to an idea—we cling to a Person. And we do not contend for tradition’s sake, but because Christ is worthy. Let the world run after novelty. Let the Church return to what never needed fixing.

2 Corinthians 5:17–21 states that those in Christ are new creations, reconciled to God, and entrusted with the message of reconciliation. The gospel isn't outdated—it’s our only hope, our unshakable foundation, and the means by which sinners are made righteous in Him.

Let us proclaim what has always been proclaimed: that salvation is in Christ alone. Let us contend for the faith not just with words, but with lives transformed by grace.

The old ways still work—because they reveal the eternal Savior who never changes and unites all true believers under His headship for the glory of God.