Jude said that he had intended to write to the brethren regarding “our common salvation” but “found it necessary to write” to them exhorting them “to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude verse 3). The inspired author then used as the book of Jude is divided in our Bibles, verses four through nineteen warning them concerning those that were challenging the faith with false teachings and practices. Then to make a contrast between the false teachers and the faithful brethren Jude wrote, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith…” (Jude verse 20). The implication was that the way to personally know the difference between truth and error is to be personally involved in the process.
            The verse begins, “but you”, which is a plural form indicating that the application was not just for the leaders of the congregation, it was not just for the men of the congregation, but the responsibility under consideration was for everyone, all Christians. There are times when an admonition was given specifically to a specific group of Christian people. For example, Paul wrote to Timothy the preacher, “preach the Word” (2 Timothy 4:2), and Peter wrote to the elders of the congregations of the Lord’s church, “feed the flock of God which is among you” (1 Peter 5:2). The message of Paul to Timothy and of Peter to the elders were meant for specific individuals. However, Jude wrote to all Christians that would read his little inspired book.
            The verse continues with Jude writing, “building yourselves up…” The message continues to be for all members of the church and specifically what every Christian is to do. Christians must take personally the responsibility to build themselves up. Jude is saying that each Christian must do that which is necessary to build him or herself up spiritually. One cannot just wait until Sunday comes around to be involved in that building up process. What might be implied by the building up process that a Christian would be involved in? Paul wrote that Christians are to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), so having a living and active prayer life would be a part of building oneself up spiritually. Paul also wrote that one is to “continue in the things that you have learned” (2 Timothy 3:14). Christians are to learn what is taught from the Word of God and remember it by letting it live in the heart and actions of daily life. These are just two ways that one can build themselves up in a spiritual way.

            Jude continued by being even more specific, “on your most holy faith” (Jude verse 20). The word faith refers to “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude verse 3). The Christians were the saints and had received “the faith”, that is the doctrine, the gospel, or the system of faith, and it was that faith which was the “most holy faith”. It is a faith that is so different and set apart from any other teaching or believe, religious or nonreligious, and so it was the “most holy faith”. Previously Jude wrote, “But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude verse 17). Jude’s message is clear. The way to be built up spiritually is through “the faith” which is “sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 1:13). That same inspired message that Jude and Paul received serve Christians today, in order that one might be built up in the “most holy faith”.