Jude's Charge

Jude 20-23
    
    After Jude’s admonition of the ungodly persons, he switches his focus to the Christian. He says the Christian is to build up their faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep in God’s love, waiting for the Mercy of Christ to eternal life. We see that these are the aspects Jude addresses as Christian growth. We must continue to build our faith. When one is baptized into Christ, their faith is not solidified at that point. We must continue to learn and grow. In the great commission, Jesus admonishes to go teach all nations, baptizing them, and then to continue to “teach them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:18-20). Prayer is a crucial role in the growth and development of faith. In doing so we are to keep ourselves in God’s love, as opposed to what the world claims is love. 
    Next, after the inward charge, Jude gives the outward charge. To have mercy on those who are doubting, to save others, which is equal to snatching them out of the fire, and lastly having mercy with fear, “hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” Not only are we to continue in our own Christian growth, it is an absolute necessity to teach those in a lost and dying world. When someone is saved from the sin sick condition, it is like snatching them from the fiery pits of hell itself. We must be careful to continue to have respect for all men, but continue to hate sin. This type of writing is reminiscent of keeping the pure and undefiled religion written about in James 1:26-27 and not loving the world nor the things in the world in 1 John 2:15-17. This is our charge family. We must accomplish it. I love you all!


In His service,
Steven Hugley