Jude 17-23

But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.^[1]

Everyone needs something or someone in whom they can believe and trust. Even those who claim to be atheists trust in something whether they call it god or not. People who say they are not atheists but spiritual acknowledge a ‘higher power.’ We boldly proclaim our faith in a living God who is ever with us. Doing so gives us confidence for today and hope for tomorrow. Still we also acknowledge how difficult it is to hold onto our faith in a climate that not only denies our faith but also seeks to punish us for having it. Jude reminds his readers that they were taught to expect how the climate would be in the last days. In essence we should not be surprised. The question becomes, then, how do we hold onto our faith in this climate that mocks our faith, and pursues the fulfillment of their own lusts. It is a climate full of divisions and people who create them. It is not interested in the things that please God. There is no pretense to flowing in or with the Spirit.

Jude was writing about what was occurring in his day, but he could have very well been writing about today. Jude tells his readers to hold on by building themselves up on, not in, their holy faith. It is assumed that they have faith (everyone has a measure of faith), but now they have to build themselves up on it, using it. They do so first by praying in the Spirit. Without fixating on whether speaking in tongues is the issue here, let’s just focus on allowing the Holy Spirit to pray for us and through us, giving us what to pray. They build themselves up by keeping themselves in the love of God and waiting anxiously for God’s mercy. These are acts of the will. They do not happen automatically. One must purpose to do them. Then he adds that they should practice it all by having mercy on those in their midst, other believers, who are doubting which serves to build their faith. Jude highlights an issue that is nonetheless real today, and his remedy is still applicable. Today, let’s stop our grumbling and complaining about how bad things are and begin to intentionally build ourselves up on our holy faith.

Gracious Father, we confess to incredible frustration, anger, and even fear as we hear of mean things all around us. We confess to feelings of despondency and depression as we watch the continuing shift from a biblical world view to a carnal, worldly one. We have allowed the constant parade of ‘bad news’ to get the better of us. Help us today to build ourselves up on our holy faith. Teach again to pray. Cause a passion to seek your face to burn within us. Force us to our knees where we can find the strength to overcome. Then restore our joy and hope. Amen.

^[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jud 17–23.