Today’s Reading:
Jude 1:20-23
“But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice high and higher], pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ [which will bring you] to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy but with fear, loathing even the clothing spotted and polluted by their shameless immoral freedom.” (Amos 4:11; Zech. 3:2-4], (JUDE 1:20-23 AMPV)
Jude is one of the shortest books in the Bible with only one chapter. Most of Jude’s command and statements come like machine gun fire; even where a confrontation is not acceptable in witnessing, as it would be simply seen as being rude. Many in the society prefer a softer and gentler side of the Christian faith. But Jude reminds us that there is a time and a place for the aggressive protection of the truth from those who seek to tear it down.
… build yourselves up … (v. 20) There are many references in the Bible to building projects to honour God like - altars, the Tabernacle and the temple; and those done against the purpose of God like - the tower of Babel and pagan altars gods. Also, the term building is used as a metaphor. For example, The Lord is a builder of Jerusalem, of the house of David, of the nation of Judah, of Christian homes, of the church with Christ as the Cornerstone, of a place in heaven for believers, and the New Jerusalem. Importantly, as believers we are firmly admonished to build our lives on the foundation of Christ and His word, to build the church into a unified body of Christ and to build other weak Christians up in love, as we grow up spiritually and edify the church into Christ's likeness.
Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgement, (v. 23a) here is a direct charge to do evangelism. Rescue the perishing, show mercy but hate sin. Effective witnessing will save people from the impending judgement of God. Rescue the perishing in love and with mercy, but hate the sin that has brought people to the path of eternal destruction; but show love to the sinner. For while we were yet sinners, Jesus Christ died to redeem our souls. To some we witness compassion and kindness; to others, we must be hard as if we are snatching them from hellfire. We are to share the Gospel of truth and love of Christ, proclaim the message of God’s grace, declare it, and model it. No matter how successful an unbeliever is in the world’s standard, he or she is lost and in dire need of salvation. Witnessing should not be taken lightly; it is a matter of life and death.
In trying to find common ground with those to whom we witness, we must be careful not to fall into the quicksand of compromise. We must be sure that our footing is safe and secure while reaching out to other people. We must be careful not to become like those we are witnessing, there must be the standard of differentiation. We should be able to influence them for Christ, and not they influencing us with sin.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven; whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputes not iniquity, and in whose spirit, there is no guile.
Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies, the deceiver, the destroyer, and the power that pulls down because of the name of Jesus, so that I might serve You without fear, in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life, in Jesus name.
Father, thank You for You can keep me from stumbling or falling into sin, and present me blameless and faultless in Your presence, with triumphant joy and unspeakable delight, in Jesus' name.
Empower me to always fight strenuously for my faith and my Christian beliefs, no matter the circumstances, in Jesus' name.
Father, help me to continuously build up myself in the holy faith, to be able to pray in the Holy Spirit often and to remain in Your love to the end, in Jesus' name.
Father keep our children, youths, and young adults safe in Your secret place and teach their hands to war and their fingers to battle, in Jesus' name.
Father, visit Christian marriages\homes with your love, and mercy; deliver, reconcile, heal wounds, help them to stand secure, and set them on fire for Christ, in Jesus' name.
Father, unite the body of Christ with your love, in Your jealousy, and empower them to proclaim the Gospel of truth in love, in word and action, in Jesus' name.
Father, visit especially, hurting people of all nations with Your love, and mercy; deliver, heal, transform minds; and let the earth be filled with Your glory as the water covers the sea, in Jesus' name.
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