Jude: Development

Jude 20-23

I have heard of leaders that told their subordinates, "Do not come to me with a problem unless you have a solution". While we certainly do not want to go through life helpless, sometimes we need to look to others for help with problems. That is part of the growth process. We learn from those who have more experience and knowledge about a specific field. No one likes a person who always only points out problems. However, sometimes that person simply needs to develop the ability to find solutions in the midst of problems.

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But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Jude 20-23

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Up to this point, Jude has been a very negative book. Jude says that there will be a problem in the church with these apostates. He has described their nature. He has told us about the division they will cause. He told us that they act on base instincts and lusts, and they do not reason. So far, he has simply said that there will be a problem in the church. So what?

Now, Jude wants to give the church the solution. Here is what we are supposed to do. First, we are to build ourselves up in our "most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep ourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (v. 20-21). If we pray, remain in the love of God, and look forward to the completion of Christ's work of Salvation in our going to Heaven, our faith will grow. The more our faith grows, the more firmly we will stand when we face adversity. We will be able to stand firmly against errors that try to creep into the church. No matter how many people we have to stand against, we will stand.

Jude continues in verse 22-23 by adding that we are to preach the gospel. We are not to close our doors and hold onto those we know believe like us. It is easy to become an exclusive organization. By keeping outsiders out, we do not run the risk of apostates coming in. However, by taking such an attitude, we are saying that we are content with everyone outside our group going to Hell. This is antithetical to what Christ came to the earth for, and what he commanded us to do.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon said it this way, "If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for". Jude said, "but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh." Remember, we are called to "fight" in Spiritual warfare. That isn't comfortable or easy. However, it is worth all the struggle when a life is saved.

Father, there is a temptation to want to hide from conflict. Help us to remember that if we hide, no one is fighting. Help us to remember that people are not our enemies. We do not "battle with flesh and blood". We ask you to build our faith, strengthen us for the battle, and help us to keep our eyes on the victory that is already guaranteed at the end of the battle.