Jude 17-21
Now Jude is turning more toward the brothers and sisters to whom he is writing this letter of warning.
(17) But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,
(18) that they were saying to you that in the last time there will be mockers, following their own ungodly lusts.
Jude felt the urgency to tell these people he loves, brothers and sisters in the Lord, to warn them about the false teachers that disguise themselves as "ministers of righteousness," when they are only concerned for their own physical pleasures and financial benefits and having the power of authority over others.
The apostles who laid the foundation for the church had a wide ministry of which we have very little written down. But they warned ahead of time, from the very beginning of the church, that there would be evil men who would mock and scoff at the Gospel.
(19) These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.
Right now there is a great split in one of the Christian denominations over a misunderstanding of the picture of marriage God gave us to demonstrate the relationship He wants with us. People who don't have God's Holy Spirit of Truth living in them have no understanding of God's Word, so have introduced "other gospels" of "damnable heresies" into the institution of the church.
This is just one example today of how the devil has disrupted God's church. Many of our Christian congregations have only a religion, not that intimate relationship with God that He wants with us. So they have been deceived by their worldly-minded leaders. They may have never yet heard the Gospel of Christ. Those of us who know God are to share His good news with our neighbors and coworkers, so they can make an informed decision to receive the Truth that will set them free.
(20) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
(21) keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
We who are God's children are to be consistent and persistent to keep ourselves separate from the views of the world, focused on our Father God and His inspired Word of Truth. We need to "practice the presence of God" (Brother Lawrence) in continuous conversation with Him, always remembering that He will guide us and strengthen us.
As we are living in the love of God, we will see ourselves and others as He sees us, as treasured valuables, worth the highest positions in His family business, His Kingdom. Realizing His great mercy to us in placing the wrath due us on His Son, the Lamb of God; eager for the return of our King, bringing with Him the rewards He will grace us with for doing His works, and the eternal spirit-body that will swallow up our mortal body.
O my Father, please help us, show us how You would have us approach these deceived people, how to love them so much that we will be able to share Your Gospel with them in a compassionate and gentle way.
Father, it's so easy for us to react in anger at the harm that our enemy has wrought, bringing slander upon Your reputation!
But the people who have been duped by him are the victims, Father; help us to see this. Show us Your ways, Your words to speak to them in gentle, compassionate tones of voice that they will be able to hear and accept.
Lead us to all of Your lost sheep, the children who have yet to be born into Your family, Father. Grant us to have good success in sharing Your message, Your wonderful good news that You have met their needs to be freed from the bondage they suffer.
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 swiftly, Lord Jesus!
