“Jude 1:20-23”

Monday, November 20, 2017

“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”

--- End of Scripture verses---

We see here in today’s verses, as Jude brings his letter to a close, that we have a big part to play in our own salvation and in the salvation of other people. It is our personal responsibility to be continually “building” ourselves “up in” the “most holy faith” (verse 20). The means by which we build ourselves up spiritually is by reading, studying and meditating upon “the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” by the Apostles and other inspired writers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Another critical aspect of personal edification is “praying in the Holy Spirit”. It is the Holy Spirit who revealed His will through the men who wrote the letters that make up the New Testament, Who also dwells in us through that perfect revelation, and Who intercedes for us when we pray (Romans 8:26-27).

We are also to keep ourselves “in God’s love” as we eagerly wait for Christ’s return (verse 21). Of course, God loves everyone unconditionally, so keeping ourselves in His love means to live our lives in such a way that shows the greatest appreciation for it. This would include being holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16), worshiping Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24), and serving Him to the best of our ability in ways that please Him (2 Corinthians 5:9). Until the Lord returns we must live this way and “wait” in patient anticipation for the day when “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54), and He transforms “our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body’ (Philippians 3:22), and we dwell with Him eternally in heaven.

We also have the responsibility of being our brother’s keeper while we are waiting for the Lord to appear. We must “be merciful to those who doubt” (verse 22). We should not abandon our brothers and sisters in Christ when they experience crises in their faith. Those of us who are strong should help to bear the burdens of those who are weak in the faith, and do so in the spirit of meekness understanding that one day in the future the roles may be reversed (Romans 15:1; Galatians 6:1-2). “Fear” should move us to try to “snatch” brethren who have abandoned the faith or fallen into religious error out of the fire of eternal damnation. “We should “hate even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (verse 23). Some people reject that “loving the sinner and hating the sin” is a biblical concept, but the Lord’s brother shows us that it most certainly is. Sin ignored will result in eternal “fire”!!! If you love your brother don’t be silent about it!!!

Please read Jude 1:24-25 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

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