AN INTENSE BOOK
Jude 20-25 NKJ
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
It is not often that we get to read an entire book. Most of the epistles are broken into chapters. Jude is a short but very intense book. Much of Jude’s letter deals with conflict. Contend, fight for the faith. Warnings against men who teach false doctrines and a reminder of the judgment of God. Verse 15 speaks of the judgment on all the ungodly for the ungodly deeds which they committed in an ungodly way and the judgment coming on the ungodly sinners for the harsh things spoken against the Lord. I don’t believe Jude would make any modern best-seller lists; this brother is not playing.
Jude concludes his letter by encouraging the believers to build up themselves on their most holy faith by praying with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This can be done in native language or in a prayer language, but the Holy Spirit’s help in prayer is vital. And as the believers pray, Jude encourages them to keep themselves in the love of God.
This love is extended in mercy to those who are lost. The compassion of the Lord can make a difference in the lives of someone who is away from God. Then Jude switches gears and encourages to save some with fear. This is where I often will look to other translations to offer clarity. The NLT version says, “And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 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.” Notice we hate the sins, not the people. I am not quite sure how we rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. But this may include us warning people that there is a heaven to gain and a hell to avoid. I have never been a hellfire and damnation preacher, believing that the goodness of God leads people to repentance. But as the time gets shorter, our message may need to become even more urgent.
Jude concludes his letter in a beautiful way. Again, I like the wording the NLT provides, “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. 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.” What a beautiful way to conclude an intense book.
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy in saving me. And thank You for keeping me from stumbling and bringing me into Your presence with great joy. You alone are wise and the only God. All glory to You both now and forever more. Amen