17/08/2024
Shalom. Today's devotion comes from Jude 1:22 BSB, And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt;
Judha 1:22, Itirai ngoni avo vanokahadzika;
UJuda 1:22, Yibani lesihawu kulabo abathandabuzayo;
یہُوداہ 1:22
اور بعض لوگوں پر جو شک میں ہیں رَحم کرو۔
To understand today's scripture it's important to put some things into context. First, some few things about the Book of Jude to help us with context:
☆ The Book of Jude is one of the 5 shortest Book in the bible, yet significant in the times we are living right now. I encourage you to read it, it's only 1 chapter
☆ Jude is believed to be one of Jesus's brothers by virtue of having been Joseph and Mary's biological son.
☆ The Book of Jude is important to us believers because it is written for the end times, for the end of the age of the church which began at the Day of Pentecost. It is the only book in the Bible dedicated to the great apostacy, the rebellion of those who at some point believed. This apostacy, according to Jude, is evidenced by evil works. Jude starts with admonishing us to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3). He warns that this evil is not outside the church, there are sheep in wolf's clothing among us...false prophets at the pulpit and therefore to be guarded and alert because our salvation depends on it.
In Jude 1:17-23, Jude is urging us to remain faithful in our walk with God. He reminds us of the foretold predictions that in the end times, there will be false teachers, scoffers, and faithless people who will infiltrate the church like parasites and try to create divisions that will destroy them, if they are not vigilant. Jude urges the church to resist all such efforts as stated in verse 20, "But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit." Building and praying are active words that implies motion. We cannot afford to be stagnant in our faith. I Peter 5:8 says, "Be sover,be vigilant because the devil (our adversary) is roaming around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, urges us to "pray without ceasing." This should be our daily posture.
Contending for the faith cannot be done outside "the most holy faith". Our faith is rooted in the belief of the completed work of Christ at Calvary, His death and the ressurrection. Apostle Paul says it this way in Colossians 2:6-7, "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him and let your lives be built in Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth that you were taught."
It is while we are in this posture of being grounded in the truth of Christ Jesus that we are called to "And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt." We are to extend the same mercy that was extended to us by Christ Jesus, the same compassion to those who have questions about their faith along the way. We cannot afford to mock and scoff those among us who are struggling with doubt. Remember, yesterday we learnt that doubt is not Doubt is not the absence of faith; it is the questioning of faith.
Jude is urging us that, because the end is near, Satan is waiting in the peripheral, waiting for one of us to fall behind of the pack so he may pounce. Verse 23 says by extending mercy and compassion, we are to, "save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even thr clothing stained by corrupted flesh."
Today, as we go about our business, resolve to contend for the faith by extending grace to others around us who may be struggling with doubt regarding their faith. Remember, God's desire is that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9). You, may very well bear the answer that will snatching them out of the grasp of the devil.
In extending mercy to others, please don't neglect extending the same time yourself when you too have doubts about your faith.
Let's make it a blessed and productive day in Jesus's name, Amen. ~Pastor Tee
