A Call To Persevere, Part 2

Jude 20-23

Verses 17-19 of Jude (Part One) warns Believers to watch for false teachers.  Now, in verses 20-23, we are exhorted to demonstrate the edifying practices of building, praying, keeping, wating, showing mercy, and saving.

"But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit."  v. 20

How do we build ourselves up in holy faith?  We build upon the foundation of our salvation through Jesus Christ.  We shelter the faith that God has apportioned to us and build on that faith through reading the Word, communicating with God every day, assembling with Believers in fellowship, praying in the Spirit, and living in a spirit of agape love...just to name a few.  This may read like a legalistic list of to-do's; however, these activities are not meant to be strivings and strainings.  When we are in a growing relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, these acts become a joyous manifestation of our love for Him.

"Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."  v. 21

God's love...His unconditional, unchanging love...has always, is always, and will always attend to us.  His love does not change like ours does.  This is why Jude challenges us to keep ourselves in God's love.  We Believers must be diligent and intentional in guarding our lives under the fullness of God's love.  Sometimes I lose focus and step out of His fullness because I get impatient in the waiting, or I believe I can handle it myself, or I am just acting out as a rebellious child who want to test her boundaries.  We all do this at times.  This is why Jude commends us to attend to God's love as we wait (expect and look for) the fulfillment of His promises.

"Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear -- hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh."  v. 22-23

Is it easier to show compassion to someone who is struggling with doubt or someone who outright denies God?  In our human condition, it is easier to have mercy on those who are searching for answers and thirsting for Living Water.  These are the ones we minister God's unconditional love to; in sharing God's kindness, they are more inclined to be led to repentance and snatched from the path to Hell.  Through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, we have the responsibility and the privilege to throw others the life-line that was tossed to us.  We show mercy to the soul, reverence to the Father, despise the things and desires of flesh (those things opposed to God).

Father, I ask that You would increase our holy faith and cause us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions.  You are the One Who grants us discernment to stay in the boundaries You have set for each of us to protect our lives and witness as we eagerly watch for the fulfillment of Your soon-coming promises.  Keep our eyes upon you, Lord, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.  May we know Your mercy in our lives, so that we may share the overflow of that mercy with others.  Stregthen our spirit-man that we may live in victory over the strong-man.  You deserve all the glory and recognition and authority, Jesus.  May You be seen clearly through Your body of Believers.  Amen.