In the verses that precede today’s passage, Jude has been explaining why it is so important that we, as Christ’s Church, do not accept false teachings. Friends, we should not be surprised that there are false teachers. Jesus warned us time and time again, through His Word, that in the last days hearts will grow cold and there will be many false teachers. Luke recorded Jesus saying, “I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock.” (Acts 20:29) Peter reminded us that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the Truth, and following their own desires. (2 Peter 3:3) Finally, Matthew told us that in the last days “sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12) Friends, you and I need to remember that we do not want to get caught up with the “many”, and so our love for Jesus must remain on fire in the Spirit, because we do not want our love for Him to grow cold. We also must be prepared, because false teachers are not a maybe thing, they are a definite thing, they are here and more will come. So, instead of being unprepared and surprised because we were living too comfortably within this world, we must be fully prepared and armed with the Word of God within our hearts so that we can allow the Spirit to discern what is Truth and what is false.
Jude, who is Jesus’ half-brother, tells us exactly what we are to do as the Church for one another: 1. build each other up 2. pray by the power of the Holy Spirit for one another 3. have mercy for each other 4. hate sin and then we will be keeping ourselves safe in God’s love. Friends, you and I rest within God’s Truth, it is the only place to find the shalom of God, His peace and wholeness. No devil working through any false teacher can steer us wrong when our relationship with Jesus is real, solid, not fake, and growing. Our relationship with Jesus is ours and it can NOT be taken.
Jude 1:17-25 (NLT)
A Call to Remain Faithful
17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted. 18 They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. 19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.
20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.
22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.
A Prayer of Praise
24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for today’s reminder through Jude about how our hearts need to be in oneness with You, because You are calling each one of us to not only remain in faith, but to grow more deep within our love for You and within our faith. I ask all of this in Jesus’s Name. Amen.