Jude 20-23

Keep Yourselves in the Love of God

Keep yourself in the love of God -> this highlights the personal responsibility every believer has to endure and persevere

In order to avoid succumbing to the opposition and falling into apostasy, you have a responsibility to feed the new man unto endurance in the faith

As we will see in more detail next week, the glory of our preservation goes to God (v. 24)

This does not separate us from the personal responsibility to remaining faithful and true to God (Gal. 5:13-26)

We keep ourselves in the love of God by building ourself up in the most holy faith -> “adding to your faith”

Discipleship is as much a part of being a Christian as salvation is (salvation has a three-part definition - justification, sanctification, and glorification)

You must build upon the foundation of Christ by His word unto good works -> works are not a requirement of salvation, but they are a part of it (the results - Eph. 2:8-10)

Praying in the Holy Ghost -> You cannot grow in faith or keep yourself in the love of God apart from prayer -> let that sink in!

If that part is missing, it is the first and easiest place to start

Looking (watching/waiting) for the mercy of Jesus unto eternal life -> if this dominates your life and expectations, you will be in great spiritual shape!

It is not the next promotion, weekend, vacation, or leisurely activity that ensures we persevere, but looking for the return of Christ!

Minister to Others

There is a progression of our ministering to others based on the level they have been corrupted by the false teachers

Have mercy and compassion on those who waver -> our natural inclination is to bury whoever starts to stumble

It is hard work enduring to the end, and those who are doubting or “know to do better” still need a soft encouragement to do better

Doubts cannot be dismissed in others, as we need to work to restore them with tenderness (2 Tim. 2:24-26)

Be reminded of Jesus’ handling of Peter, James and John, and you

Snatching out of the fire -> there are those who are clearly lost and influenced by wicked ways

These are not innocent bystanders, but those who will experience hell without the grace of God -> go to them with urgency!

Save with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh -> there are some others who are horribly corrupted

We must still be merciful, but be careful lest their contamination rub off on us

It is not enough to just fight against the opposition, but we must be careful to keep ourselves in the love of God and bring as many as we can in with us