Hating The Dirty Clothes

Jude 22-23

This is how we are to proceed, in keeping ourselves in the love of God that we saw yesterday. 

(22) And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 

Those who are doubting are the "easy" ones to convince, because it is God who will convince them when they hear His good news for them. But we must be telling them because we love them, not for any other reason. 

(23) save others, snatching them out of the fire; 

These are those who are being licked by the very flames of Hades. We are to storm the very gates of Hell to rescue these. So we must be strong in the Lord, wearing the armor of God, wielding the sword of the Spirit in the battle.

and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. 

This is an example of hating the sin while loving the sinner. These people are the victims; they have been trapped by seductive lies that have imprisoned them in chains of addictive lifestyles. 

The fear involved here shows the serious danger of these endeavors. We must be protected in these battles. We must keep ourselves regularly washed in the water of the Word to remove the dirt and grime of walking in the wasteland of this world, and strengthened in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

He it is who calls us to go into all nations, starting with our own neighbors (Matthew 28: 19-20). It's up to us, brothers and sisters; Jesus left us here after He saved us in order to grow His family. We are to individually grow up, and we are to go out to witness to others to grow His Kingdom numerically. 

It is our job to make sure we are growing and loving and working His works, making a difference in our own little worlds where we live, and extending our boundaries to increase God's glory to the best of the ability God grants each of us. 

O my Father God, please help each of us, Your children, to be strong in the Lord, to daily nourish our spiritual life with the milk and meat of the Word. May we have our confidence in You, Father, to trust Your leading as You take our hand and will never let go. 

Keep us in Your narrow path that leads to Everlasting Light, not turning to the right or to the left, not wandering away or falling into a ditch, not lagging behind or running ahead, but taking every step in Your footsteps. 

Lead us to those in the greatest danger of hell-fire, Father; strengthened and protected and mighty in the power of Your almighty power, rescuing and snatching them out of the devil's hand and into Your glorious Kingdom! 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!