Footsteps of Jesus

“…to those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.”

Jude 1:1 & 2

Many people today claim to follow Christ and call themselves preachers or teachers of the  Gospel.

Actually they mislead others with untruthful representations of the Gospel.

which way is Truth

In this short letter, penned by Jude, Jesus’ half brother, we see how soon the new Church was plagued by this threat of apostasy.

Nothing much has changed in all the centuries that have passed.

Jude gives us practical advice on how to identify impostors.

He shows us how to help other believers who are confused by the message preached by these self-serving individuals.

Also, he shows us how to reach those who are lost and have been led astray by people who corrupt the Gospel.

Let’s take a look at this passage inspired by the Spirit of God.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

Jude 1:20 (NLT)

We find clarity in God’s Word by knowing it. We know the Gospel by:

• Reading God’s Word daily.
• Praying.
• Being faithful to tasks given to you by God. (See God’s truth unfold as you do His will.)
• Fellowshipping with other believers. (Learn from other true believers.)
• Sharing the Truth of the Gospel of Christ Jesus. (The more you tell it the more you see it. You don’t become more saved. You become more drawn by the Holy Spirit. It’s a relationship!)

keep yourselves in the love of God, 

Jude 1:21 (NLT)

That little sentence, “keep yourself in God’s love…”, does not mean that we are responsible for keeping our salvation. It means that we are to stay connected to God as described above.

waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.  Jude 1:21 (NLT)

This little section of the passage doesn’t mean that we’re supposed to just be sitting around waiting to go to heaven. God has something specific for every believer to do.

Most often that should involve helping others to see the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus. God’s Spirit does the work. He just let’s believers be His hands and feet.

Share God’s mercy and peace in your world.

And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Jude 1:22 & 23 (NLT)

This passage helps us identify individuals in spiritual confusion, prompting us to respond with Christ-like love and wisdom.

Some are confused believers, while others are lost and need to know the Truth.

Jude advises us to adjust our approach, using truthful compassion and tenderness in some cases, and being truthfully blunt in others.

It is important to remember that sharing the truth of the Gospel is kind, especially regarding the eternal separation from God when people reject the Gospel.

The last part of verse 23 reminds us to hate the sin but love the sinner, just as Jesus did.

Don’t be influenced by sinful lifestyles when reaching out to confused believers or lost people. Jesus touched  sinners’ lives. But he never joined in their sin.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 

to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, 

be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all-time and now and forever.

Amen.

Jude 1:24 & 25 (NLT)

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.