Faithful on Fridays Blog

This has been a sobering message so far because Jesus was serious about our being ready for His return. When He walked this earth His words were often encouraging His followers to be different from the world in order to live the higher life in Him. Jude’s message echoes much of what He said. Jesus prayed right before going to the cross,

I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. John 17:14-16 ESV

In verses 17-19 Jude wrote to the people he loved, fellow Christ-followers, that we ‘must’ remember what we’ve been taught; there’s a sense of urgency in his words. What’s so critical that they, and us, should remember? “In the last times” was his phrase; time as we know it is drawing to a close and we need to be on guard for strategies the enemy uses to draw us away from God. He goes on to show the contrast of ‘worldly people’ and ‘spiritual people’; even now the difference is obvious because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer.

He turns the corner of warning in verses 20-23 and begins to give us or own strategies for the end times; this is our calling as he wrote in the beginning of the message. First of all, build yourself up in faith, read and study God’s Word, stay in daily prayer, and regularly attend a church that preaches Jesus. Keep reminding yourself of God’s love, even when the trials of this life pressure you; there’s a heavenly eternity waiting for you. 

Then, show God’s mercy to others, especially the doubters. There are many who have a hard time believing God because their outward circumstances make them think God doesn’t care. He does. Encourage them, speak hope and life to them, and if necessary, rescue them from the fire they find themselves in. That’s love and that’s mercy. We can literally snatch, the Greek word is where we get harpoon, them from their fiery trials by telling them the truth in love.

Finally, we’re told to hate, not people, but Satan and his evil demons who continue to tempt and successfully lead people away from God’s higher life in the Spirit and into works of the flesh (Gal. 5:16-26). Hating means to be fierce and radical against the devil, not people, in other words, hate the sin, yet ‘love the sinner’. I’m thankful for churches, however, not everyone will attend one, but they might listen to a podcast, YouTube video, or read a short blog. I encourage you to encourage others by sharing messages that have touched your heart; who knows, maybe you’ll do some ‘snatching’ of your own!