Instruction
Scripture: Jude 20-25
Jude is a brief book which was likely written by one of
Jesus’ half-brothers. It is a letter written to urge believers to contend for
the faith because there were people within the church working against the message
of the gospel. This particular passage urges the believers to be built up by the
Holy Spirit and to proclaim the gospel of salvation as they wait for the mercy
of Jesus to bring them into eternal life. The passage serves to point believers
to remember that the ministry of God’s people is about saving sinners even as
we await the coming of our Lord Jesus to present us before the Father in
eternal glory and joy.
Teaching
The apostles had warned the church that in the last time
there would be scoffers who followed their own ungodly passions. While these
people brought division and worldliness into the church, Jude sought to firm up
those who believed God’s Word and clung to it. He says that while the scoffers
cause division the believers should keep themselves in the love of God and to
wait for Jesus’ mercy which leads us into eternal life. To do this the
believers should build themselves up in the faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
They were to study God’s Word and let it lead them into prayer.
The life of the believers was also to be marked by mercy as
they continued to share the message of the Gospel so as to save many. Their own
position might seem precarious in such a time, but they were encouraged to
trust God to keep them from stumbling.
Life
Jude’s words to the early church ring true for us today. Do
we not live in a time when there is division within the church? As we wait for
Jesus to return aren’t we, too, called to lead faithful lives built up in the
holy faith that is delivered to us in God’s Word? Aren’t we, too, called to
pray in the Holy Spirit? And certainly we, too, have been called as God’s
people to join in His mission of saving sinners by sharing the hope we have in
Jesus.
But what strength do we have to do this work? Often it feels
like none. Jude 24-25 can serve as great words of encouragement to us because,
while they are praise to God, they remind us that Jesus is able to keep us from
stumbling and to make us blameless before God. That message gives us joy as we
serve Him now and wait for His glorious return.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as we wait for Your mercy to be fully ours at
Your second coming, we are called to build ourselves up in the faith by hearing
Your Word and to pray in the Spirit. You privilege us by allowing us to join You
in Your mission of saving sinners and sharing the mercy You have given to us.
Thank You! Thank You for having mercy on us, keeping us from
stumbling in sin, and for making us blameless in the Father’s eyes. Thank You
for giving us both mission and ministry.
Forgive us for not being committed to being built up in the
faith, for not praying as we ought, and for not being merciful to others as You
have been merciful to us.
Let Your Spirit form us in true faith so that we pray as we
ought and our lives reveal Your glory and mercy to others. Amen.
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