READ: Amos 1-2; Proverbs 10; Jude 1
SCRIPTURE: Jude 1: 20 But you,
dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in
the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus
Christ to bring you to eternal life.
OBSERVATION: Nowadays, we hear
a lot of unbiblical “strange teachings.” Those who want to get immediate
attention and fame twist the scripture to support their false teaching and
misconduct and mislead many. These kinds of false teachers are not new to the
Church. We read many warnings against such false teachers and their teachings
in apostles’ writings in the New Testament. Although the book of Jude is small,
it is exclusively written to confront the ungodly perverts and apostates who
deny God. Jude precisely lists the characteristics of false teachers and warns
us to act proactively. When Jude writes, “But you dear friends,” he reminds the
believers that they should not be like the ungodly false teachers and points
the direction they should go. Believers need to be aware of the false teachers'
cunning, ungodly, and immoral ways and their motives. We should not admire or follow
them either way. We need to be careful to walk with the Lord in the light of His
Word.
Before writing about God’s power that
keeps us from stumbling, Jude encourages the believers to remember the apostolic
teachings and reminds believers’ personal responsibility against false doctrines
and teachings. In verses 20, 21, Jude reminds three essential things for our healthy
spiritual lives. Jude alone uses the phrase “Holy faith” in the entire bible. It
is “the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (v.3).
Without faith, “it is impossible to please God,” and “we cannot contend for the
faith.” Apostle Paul says that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans
10:17). We need to grow in our faith that is built upon the word of God.
We see another unique phrase, “praying
in the Holy Spirit,” in Jude. It denotes that our prayers should be done, as Kenneth
Wuest says, “in the sphere of Holy Spirit, motivated and empowered by
Him.” There is a stark difference between “praying in the flesh” and “praying
in the Holy Spirit.” Then, Jude reminds, “keeping yourselves in the love of
God.” John MacArthur explains, “it means to remain in the sphere of God's love,
or the place of His blessing (Ro 5:5; 8:39; 1Jn 4:16).” He reminds the
believers, “who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept
for[Or by; or in] Jesus Christ” should remain in Christ (Jn.15:1-17). Jude’s
three exhortations are opposite to the characteristics of the ungodly false
teachers. They help believers to be heaven-focused and find the meaning of
their lives in Christ as they “wait for the mercy” of Lord Jesus.”
APPLICATION: I should/will not follow any ungodly men and their
teachings. I will be careful against any teaching that contradicts the Gospel
of Jesus Christ. God’s word helps me understand the truth of Jesus Christ. I
walk by faith. I will continue to live a spirit-filled and Spirit-controlled
life to desire godly things. God’s Spirit prompts and directs me to pray according
to God’s will. My prayers are/will be Spirit-controlled prayers. I remain in
Christ and his love. His words are in my heart. Being filled with God’s love and
his Spirit, I must live a Christ-centered life as I wait for the mercy of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for the friendly reminder
about your truth; “your word is truth.” Jesus, thank you for your love that sanctifies
me. Lord, help me be filled with your Spirit and pray in the Holy Spirit. Holy
Spirit, give me your strength to obey God, remain in Christ, grow in God’s love
and holy faith forever. Amen.
- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573
Day – 343
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