Sermon Devotional: Our Training

Scripture: Jude 20-23 (ESV)


Through the majority of his epistle (vv. 3-19), Jude has not held back his harsh critique about the church’s false teachers. He has called them “grumblers, malcontents” who follow “their own sinful desires, are loud-mouthed boasters showing favoritism to gain advantage” (v. 16). These people are “scoffers” (v. 17) who reject and “deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 4). The circumstances in Jude’s church are not good and Jude is compelled to proclaim a wake-up call to those who will listen.

In today’s text, Jude has finished exposing these divisive and spiritually dangerous interlopers. He turns now to encouraging the faithful. “But you, beloved, . . . keep yourselves in the love of God” (v. 20). Remembering Paul’s declaration that nothing and no one, “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro 8:39), they know that it is God who keeps his people secure in his love. But Jude insists that God’s beloved people also need to “cling to the Vine even as the Vine clings to them” (Jo 15:1-17). Jude tells them to be “building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Spirit” (v. 20). God keeps them secure in their faith, and they themselves also need to engage the practices that build faith.

“Church,” Jude says, “remember who Christ Jesus is and what he has done and remember all that Jesus has taught you through the apostles by the Holy Spirit. And don’t forget to ‘pray in the Spirit.’” Jesus’ followers must persevere in the Christian faith.

In verses 20-23, Jude uses the word “mercy” three times. God’s mercy is first received and then extended. “Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life” (v. 21). Through Jesus, they have already received eternal life. They are also asked to expectantly wait, anticipating God’s ultimate gift of mercy which is eternal life in his presence. Waiting is a formal act of hope.

The second and third uses of the word mercy explain the duty of Jude’s readers toward others. “Have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire” (vv. 22-23). The faithful are asked to show compassion for those who doubt and to extend pity upon those who have been deceived by the false teachers. Actively, “snatch them from the fire” of destruction and separation from the eternal life won for them by Christ. Finally, to others, Jude insists that the faithful “show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh” (v. 23). This is another warning for Jesus’ followers in the church. Have compassion “with fear.” Take great care, use caution, and pray for Spirit-enabled protection against the enticing seduction of the false teachers’ claims. To “hate even the garment stained by flesh” is for the preservation of the faithful and to ensure that the name of Christ is not dishonored.

Consider—
╬    “Doubt” (v. 22) is real and common for us all. The false teachers have planted many seeds of doubt in the church. Is Jesus really who he said he is? Does God really love you? Are your many sins really forgiven by the blood of the Lamb? If God is good, why are bad things happening to you? We all need God the Spirit to lead us from doubt to faith. And we need the fellowship of our brothers and sisters who will walk with us through our doubts and into deepened faith and trust in the triune God. Who do you know who is doubting today? Engage them—listen, seek to understand, and share your own story of journeying from doubt to renewed faith. Hold their doubt until the Spirit revives their faith.

╬   Father of all mercy and compassion, keep us in your love. Through the power of God the Holy Spirit, show us how to build one another up for the furtherance of your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.