PROCLAMATION
“Keep
yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto
eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference; And of
others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment
spotted by the flesh.” Jude 1:21-23 (KJV)
EXPLANATION
These
words were written by the Apostle Jude, the brother of James and the
half-brother of Jesus who is also called Thaddeus, under the influence of The
Holy Spirit of God to all Christians. After introducing himself,
identifying his target audience, and greeting them, Jude states his reasons for
writing this epistle. (Jude 1:1-3) He warned the people that ungodly men
had slipped in among the members of the church in order to pervert the grace of
God by denying Jesus, The Christ. (Jude 1:4) He reminds them of their
history and the punishment which was inflicted upon the false teachers and
their followers in the past. (Jude 1:5-7) He stated that even the angels
who turned against God were punished. (Jude 1:6) Jude describes these
ungodly men and their activities, and the resultant apostasy, the falling away
from the faith. (Jude 1:8-16) Then Jude exhorts and encourages them to
persevere in the faith personally and to help as many other people as possible
to do likewise. (Jude 1:20-23) He ends the chapter with a very profound
doxology. (Jude 1:24-25)
APPLICATION
The
message in The Bible Book of Jude is clear. Do not be like the ungodly
worldly men with their carnal focus, skeptical and critical nature; their unrepentant
sinful behavior and their unbelieving doctrine is leading to world destruction.
As believers we are to pray frequently,
read God’s Holy Word regularly, walk in the light. We are to exercise our faith, to demonstrate
our love for one another, to be merciful and kind, and we are to spread the
gospel as part of a kingdom building effort to win souls to Christ.
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