JUN 17

Jude 17–23
Memorise Jude 20-21
“…keep yourselves in the love of God…”

After reading Jude’s stern warnings against these ungodly men, it is easy to feel disheartened and afraid. However, Jude goes on to encourage the beloved saints in Christ. His loving words to them are a striking contrast to the harsh words to God’s enemies. He exhorts them to persevere in Christ. He calls on them to remember the words of the Apostles and not follow these ungodly men who have “not the Spirit”, meaning that these ungodly men are not saved at all yet remain in the church. He encourages them to build up themselves in the faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep themselves in the love of God and look to Jesus and His mercy. These are all action verbs that require effort on the part of the believers. They are to actively grow in Christ by reading and hearing His Word, seek Him through prayer, remember Him and look to Him always in all things.

Jude then instructs the believers on how to deal with their brethren who have erred in their doctrine. He recognizes that some may have been led astray by charismatic leaders because of their weak faith or ignorance. These he says to have “compassion” on and teach them the truth and correct their errors. Even those who knowingly defy the Word of God are not yet entirely doomed. Jude says that these can be saved “with fear”, “pulling [them] out of the fire” just in time, by exposing their error and rebuking them. Believers have a part to play in helping one another as we walk the narrow way together. It is our duty to correct in love if another steps out of the right way.

As we read such ‘application’ passages in the epistles, we would do well to take special heed of them, for they are certainly applicable to us as well. Like the Christian during the time of Jude, we too are facing a great falling away in the Church, and find that such ungodly false teachers have infiltrated many churches and Bible colleges all around us. We would do well to be vigilant, to earnestly contend for the faith, and to do all that he exhorts us to do in Jude 17-23!

Thought: What should you do as a teen if your teacher teaches something which you know is against the Word of God?
Prayer: Help me Lord, to keep a close walk with Thee so that I will not be susceptible to wrong doctrines and that I will be vigilant of false teachers.