Even as we are to contend for the faith, we are further reminded in Jude 20 of the necessity for individuals to build. We cannot rightly contend for the faith unless we are building up ourselves in our most holy faith. We are not called to build ourselves up in all the different forms which evil may assume. We shall not be able to resist error by simply having an acquaintance with error. We can only meet error as we are built up in the truth. Moreover, our faith is a “most holy faith” (vs. 20), so that in being built up in the faith we are not only gaining a deeper acquaintance with the truth, but the truth is reshaping us. It has a holy, sanctifying effect upon our souls, leading to a greater separation from the evil by which we are surrounded (John 17:17).
H. Smith