LET US DO OUR PART

PROCLAMATION

“Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.  Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear …”  Jude 1:21-23 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Jude, the brother of James and the half-brother of Jesus who 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 them 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 inflicted upon the false teachers and their followers. (Jude 1:5-7)  He stated that even 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 he exhorts and encourages them to persevere in the faith personally and to help as many others as possible. (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.  Unlike the ungodly worldly men with their carnal focus, skeptical and critical nature, unrepentant sinful behavior, and unbelieving doctrine, which is leading to world destruction, as believers we are to pray frequently, read God’s Holy Word, walk in the light, exercise our faith, demonstrate our love for one another, be merciful and kind, and spread the gospel as part of a kingdom building effort to win souls to Christ.

  

 

 

PROCLAMATION

“Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.  Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire …”  Jude 1:21-23 (NIV)

 

VINDICATE US REDEEM US AND BE MERCIFUL UNTO US

Proclamation:

“Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in The Lord and have not faltered.”  Psalm 26:1 (NIV)

Explanation:

This psalm was written by King David under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  There are four succinct prayers within this psalm.  “Vindicate me, Lord …” (Psalm 26:1), “Examine me, Lord …” (Psalm 26:2), “Do not gather my soul with sinners … (Psalm 26:9), and “… Redeem me and be merciful to me.” (Psalm 26:11)  David is not clamming to be perfect nor that he has led a sin free life, just that he is innocent of the accusations against him.  Bible scholars believe that this psalm, like psalm 7 verses 1 to 5, refer to King Saul who wanted to kill David when he had done nothing wrong. (1 Samuel 18:5-9)  Saul accused David of plotting against him.

Application:

There will be time when we will be falsely accused and we will not have any witnesses to verify our innocence.  Those are the times when all that we can do is trust in The Lord God to vindicate us.  Some people have to put others down so that they can look good.  They will lie and present false witness against us so that they appear good by comparison.  Those are people that we have to pray for and we will be blessed for not doing unto them as they did to us. (Matthew 5:11 and Luke 6:27-28)  Just as David said, we do not want to be included in that group of people who falsely accuse and intentionally do wrong to their fellow men. (Psalm 26:4-5 and 9-12)  Let us pray to The Lord to help us to walk, talk, and behave in a Christ-like manner, especially when those around us are doing otherwise.

Show Mercy And Receive Mercy

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."  Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

This verse is the fifth of the beatitudes from The Sermon on The Mount which was taught by Jesus to His disciples, and the surrounding crowd, as it was recorded by the Apostle Matthew.  He said, that Jesus said, that those who show mercy to others, will be shown mercy, and they will be blessed.

Mercy is said to the withholding of just and deserved judgement and punishment from the one who deserves it.  Mercy is also said to be the showing or giving of charity or help to one who is suffering in misery.  Mercy can also be the sharing of the afflictions or burdens of one who is overwhelmed and is in need.  Christ had compassion for those who were suffering and in need. He offered them help with physical and spiritual needs.  Just as He was merciful, we are to be merciful. (Luke 6:36)  We are being more Christ-like when we give to others. (Acts 20:35)  To those who show themselves to be merciful, He will show mercy. (Psalms 18:25)  Not only will He show them mercy, but He will bless them.  For by showing mercy to others we are being a blessing to them, and he who blesses others will himself be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)