"Going"
One of the verses most often quoted is Jude 3, in which Jude exhorted the brethren to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. He had not, however, had in mind writing on that topic, but it was needful for him to do so. He actually intended to write to them of the salvation they shared in common. What would he have said had not a more pressing matter arisen? We have no way of knowing. If the letter he originally intended to write was ever penned, we have no record of it.
Commitment
He might have chosen commitment as one of the topics he desired to discuss. He actually did encourage them to be committed to the truth. But do we not all need to be reminded of this necessary attribute that we must possess? Although this noun is not mentioned in the Scriptures, the concept is certainly there. Does not Paul encourage commitment when he writes to those in Corinth to run in the race so as to obtain the prize (1 Cor. 9:24-27)? They certainly were not unaware of the games and the commitment that the athletes had in order to compete.
The writer of Hebrews exhorted brethren to lay aside every weight in order to "run with endurance" (Heb. 12:1-2), which requires commitment. What kind of soldiers would we be if we did not take heed of Paul's admonitions to put on the whole armor of God so that we might stand (Eph. 6:13). We need the whole armor of God to be able to stand against the wiles of the devil because we are engaged in a conflict against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:11-12). Soldiers lacking commitment do not become heroes and are usually buried on the battlefield.
Do members of the church today comprehend commitment? They seem to understand it as it applies to secular matters. If, while they are in school, they join the band or a sports team, they know they have committed themselves to the practices and the games in which they will participate. They know they are not allowed to say, "I'm skipping Saturday's game because my cousins have come to visit from out of town." Christians would not dare try out the excuses they give to God in the workplace or in school. A person is either committed, or he is not.
"Oh, but God understands." Think so? Back in Malachi's day, the people had decided to offer their defective animals to God\"" perhaps because, "He will understand." God roars back through His prophet Malachi: "Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?" (Mal. 1:8b). How ironic—that people fear mistreating earthly governors more than Almighty God! God discerns easily our level of dedication.
Does Galatians 2:20 not call us to a high standard of commitment? "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." To crucify oneself is to put oneself to death (Rom. 6:3-5), and become a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). We give God our best. He is our top priority. Jesus paid a price to redeem us (1 Cor. 6:20). His church comes first.
The greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, (Matt. 22:37-40). Do not such words bespeak commitment? Does that degree of love sound as though we will decide on the spur of the moment to be present for worship or Bible study (and on time) or maybe just skip it? Are servants allowed to fill out their own schedules and just help out their masters when they feel like it? All who become Christians should count the cost, just as Jesus instructed (Luke 14:25-35). He expects His followers to be committed to Him and good works (Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:11-14).
Unity
A subject closely related to the common salvation is that of unity. And it involves the second greatest commandment—loving others. While we are to love all others by doing what is best for them, we have a special appreciation for our brethren. Perhaps Jude might have written something similar to what Paul did in Ephesians 4:1-6. Paul taught that brethren ought to bear with one another in love and make the effort "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Unity ought to have flowed naturally, but often it did not—especially when some members had a Jewish background and others were Gentile.
Paul declares that the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile—namely the Law—has been broken down (2:14-18). Thus, all Christians are part of the same body. There is only one body, one church (4:4). Therefore, Christians must endeavor to have unity because Jesus did not design a separate body for dissenters. There is not a Jewish church and a Gentile church or a black church and a white church or an elderly church and a youth church. Jesus is Head over only one church.
Neither did Jesus build one church for Calvinists and another for pre-millennialists. He did not establish one for Jehovah's Witnesses and one for Mormons. He does not require men in leadership roles for one church but allow women to exercise those roles in another. Jesus never established a "faith only" church along with one that requires obeying the gospel (2 Thess. 1:8). One cannot find in the pages of the New Testament both an instrumental and non-instrumental church. All brethren sang without accompaniment.
The existence of all these religious groups demonstrates that few are taking Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17:20-21 seriously. Nor do "Christians" feel compelled to honor what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:10. When disagreements arise, followers of the Lord have a responsibility to study it through so that we can remain united. Not only have the denominations lacked in this willingness; many brethren (some of whom speak on unity) refuse to meet with others to attempt to straighten out situations. Members of the Lord's church do not have immunity from the responsibility. Most of us preach one body; are we practicing it? If we cannot resolve problems within a congregation, how will unity ever be seen in the entire brotherhood?
There is also only one Holy Spirit, through whom the Word of God was revealed. Was He so ambiguous in His speech that all these different doctrines have arisen? No. We all have the same teaching. Furthermore, that doctrine provides all of us the same hope. We do not have different bases upon which we expect eternal life. It is the same for all of us.
We all have the same Lord, to Whom we are subject. Has He given each of us different orders? Following Him ought to produce unity. One faith refers to one body of New Testament doctrine. Paul says we can understand it (Eph. 3:4). So why do we lack agreement? Is it not the traditions of men that have developed over 2,000 years? Might not creeds also keep us separate? All those who seek to please God should be willing to honor truth over tradition.
Paul next writes that there is only one baptism. That would be the one in water for the forgiveness of sins (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:38). For a time some were baptized in the Holy Spirit, but that was the fulfillment of a promise—not the command that involves the blood of Christ washing away sins (Rev. 1:5; Acts 22:16).
Joy
Had Jude been able to address the topics he originally intended, he might have desired to talk about commitment and unity. And he might have considered discussing the joy Christians share in common. In fact, had he not been pressed for time to get his missive written and sent on its way, he could have included joy.
What? How could he speak of joy when some were sensual persons perverting the truth and causing divisions (Jude 3-4, 19)?
The answer is that joy does not depend on our outward circumstances but on our relationship with God. Though beaten and imprisoned, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God—at midnight, no less! Outwardly, their bodies could have undoubtedly used some aspirin, but inwardly their spirits were strong. Did not Jesus say to rejoice and be exceedingly glad when persecuted for righteousness' sake (Matt. 5:10-12)? In Jerusalem, the apostles were beaten but rejoiced they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:40-41).
Christians also experience joy even when conditions in the church are not what they should be. Philippians is known as the epistle of joy, which it truly is. First, Paul wrote it while imprisoned in Rome. Second, the conditions in the church could have been viewed as depressing. Some were preaching from the wrong motives (Phil. 1:16-17); brethren lacked humility; Judaizing teachers were enemies of the cross of Christ (whom Paul characterized as dogs and evil workers); and two of the finest sisters in the congregation couldn't get along with each other. Nevertheless, Paul wrote: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice!" (Phil. 4:4). Today, we could likewise become easily depressed—if we did not realize that the gospel continues to be preached and people are yet being saved. Some are growing in their dedication, and some do have hearts desirous of unity.
Optimism
With all the reasons to be negative, is it possible that Jude might have encouraged brethren to be optimistic? Well, no, not in a 21st-century self-help manner. Our optimism—either then or now—is not based on what is but on Who is; not based on what is but on what will be. Regardless of what happens in this world—from the rise of oppressive forms of government—to the assaults on God and the advancement of atheism by secular humanists or to the spread of Islam—God remains supreme, and Jesus continues to rule in His kingdom.
Although there is much over which to mourn (Matt. 5:4), nevertheless the future is bright. When Jesus returns, those who belong to Him shall rise up in the air to meet Him. A Day of Judgment will follow, in which the righteous shall be rewarded and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ while the evil (including those who have troubled the church) shall be punished. No one has a better future awaiting them than faithful Christians. Even if 95% of churches departed from the faith, the truth would still be available.
It has always been the case that the majority of people will be lost (Matt. 7:13-14), but we rejoice that the offer of salvation still stands for anyone who desires to take advantage of it. The price has been paid; all that is necessary is for good and honest hearts to embrace the gospel message—obey it and live according to it. In light of God's promises, Christians ought to be the most optimistic people on the face of the earth.
CUJO
Commitment, Unity, Joy, and Optimism might have been among the things Jude wished to share concerning the salvation we all have in common. Such precepts were of value in the first century and remain so to this day. Okay, it's not the best acronym, since it coincides with the name of a rabid dog in a novel created by Stephen King, but everything can't always come out as LOVE. Despite its disadvantageous association, at least it is memorable. However, the concepts in it are what are genuinely important (more than the acronym). May they truly inspire us.