November 19, 2015

Instruction
Scripture: Jude 20-25
Jude is a brief book which was likely written by one of Jesus’ half-brothers. It is a letter written to urge believers to contend for the faith because there were people within the church working against the message of the gospel. This particular passage urges the believers to be built up by the Holy Spirit and to proclaim the gospel of salvation as they wait for the mercy of Jesus to bring them into eternal life. The passage serves to point believers to remember that the ministry of God’s people is about saving sinners even as we await the coming of our Lord Jesus to present us before the Father in eternal glory and joy.  
Teaching
The apostles had warned the church that in the last time there would be scoffers who followed their own ungodly passions. While these people brought division and worldliness into the church, Jude sought to firm up those who believed God’s Word and clung to it. He says that while the scoffers cause division the believers should keep themselves in the love of God and to wait for Jesus’ mercy which leads us into eternal life. To do this the believers should build themselves up in the faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. They were to study God’s Word and let it lead them into prayer.
The life of the believers was also to be marked by mercy as they continued to share the message of the Gospel so as to save many. Their own position might seem precarious in such a time, but they were encouraged to trust God to keep them from stumbling.
Life
Jude’s words to the early church ring true for us today. Do we not live in a time when there is division within the church? As we wait for Jesus to return aren’t we, too, called to lead faithful lives built up in the holy faith that is delivered to us in God’s Word? Aren’t we, too, called to pray in the Holy Spirit? And certainly we, too, have been called as God’s people to join in His mission of saving sinners by sharing the hope we have in Jesus.
But what strength do we have to do this work? Often it feels like none. Jude 24-25 can serve as great words of encouragement to us because, while they are praise to God, they remind us that Jesus is able to keep us from stumbling and to make us blameless before God. That message gives us joy as we serve Him now and wait for His glorious return.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as we wait for Your mercy to be fully ours at Your second coming, we are called to build ourselves up in the faith by hearing Your Word and to pray in the Spirit. You privilege us by allowing us to join You in Your mission of saving sinners and sharing the mercy You have given to us.
Thank You! Thank You for having mercy on us, keeping us from stumbling in sin, and for making us blameless in the Father’s eyes. Thank You for giving us both mission and ministry.
Forgive us for not being committed to being built up in the faith, for not praying as we ought, and for not being merciful to others as You have been merciful to us.

Let Your Spirit form us in true faith so that we pray as we ought and our lives reveal Your glory and mercy to others. Amen. 

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