THERE IS ANOTHER Epistle in which there is no “in Christ” passage—the Epistle of Jude. This Epistle mentions Jesus Christ five times: “servant of Jesus Christ” (v. 1); “kept for Jesus Christ” (v. 1); “deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (v. 4); “mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (v. 21); “through Jesus Christ our Lord” (v. 25).
Here we have four different statements about Jesus: “servant of,” “kept for,” “deny,” and “through Jesus Christ.” None of them express “in Christ.” There is “of,” “for,” and “through,” but not “in.” Why? A verse reveals the reason: “I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (v. 3).
The faith was something “once for all delivered to the saints”—it was delivered in the past as a system of doctrine and belief and must be defended. The word used is stronger: “contend for the faith.” This gives a slant to Christianity which has affected the ages and still affects them. Had the emphasis been on “in Christ,” then Christianity would be something to be demonstrated. But the emphasis was on “of” and “through”—something outside us—a system of doctrine and belief handed down. This was not to be demonstrated, but defended. The appeal was verbal, not vital.
This is based on the conception of Christianity as the Word become word—a theology, a philosophy, a moralism. Christianity is the Word become flesh—the Idea become fact. Then the only way to be in line with that Word become flesh is for us to be a continuation of that Word become flesh in us. If we are in Christ, then we are not verbal defenders of that faith, but vital demonstrators. He Himself is His own defense. We show Him, and He defends Himself.
O Jesus, my Lord and Savior, when we lift Thee up by living Thy life, Thou dost appeal to men as the light appeals to the eye. Teach me this day in every thought I think, every word I utter, every deed I do, to lift Thee up. Thou art self-verifying. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: Today I shall not try to defend the faith, but illustrate it.
