Jude 22 Jude’s letter to believers was written to address the condition of men’s hearts. There were those perverting the grace of God. Corrupt, divisive individuals who reject authority and government, those that revile heavenly glories and scoffers unacquainted with whatever they don’t physically understand. Jude‘s description of certain men that had crept in to the church bears an uncanny resemblance to the corruption we see in our current age. Jude calls out the corruption, agitators, setting up distinctions and causing division, calling them, sensual creatures, worldly minded people, devoid of the Holy Spirit and destitute of any higher spiritual life. Jude has a message for the chosen, the elect, he calls them ‘Beloved’. He doesn’t promote or call to action against the corruption, but rather encourages them… us to build ourselves up, founded on our most holy faith and to pray in the Holy Spirit. He reminds us of the importance to guard, keep ourselves in the love of God, expectantly, and patiently waiting for His mercy…His salvation. To convict and not condemn, to have mercy on those who waiver, those who doubt. Jude reminds us of our purpose to strive to save others, as if snatching them out of a fire. But even this comes with a warning, we’re to have pity, but also fear lest we become corrupt, polluted by their sensuality. Three types of people, the corrupt, the holy, and those on the fence. Do we fall into one of those conditions of the heart? As one of the elect, our job is not to condemn, but to convict, to have mercy, to speak the truth, and point the way to Jesus. It would be easy to become discouraged as it’s plain as day that things haven’t changed in a little over 2000 years. Men’s hearts haven’t changed, but our purpose hasn’t changed…either. Our job isn’t to judge a man’s heart so as to condemn him, it’s to mercifully love him into the kingdom. Lord, We pray for strength and courage, and wisdom that we might not become distracted, discouraged by the
