During the Storms, Remember
“But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 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.”
I was thinking about how quickly everything can change. In just a moment our worlds can be flipped upside down. For example, my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, I had to start wearing reading glasses, our little dog is showing early signs that indicate he will have arthritis, and two of our cars need immediate repair. This was just in the past week! I’m sure you have had weeks like this. And if you have read the Gospel of Matthew, you can see that even Jesus had weeks like this during His ministry.
As I read this passage from Jude, the word, “remember”, stood out to me. I can all too often get distracted by all that is happening in the present moment, and in the chaos of it all, I forget that it is just for a brief amount of time in my life. And Jude says that we need to keep in mind all that the Lord has spoken to us and hold on to it, because it will keep everything in proper perspective.
This passage in Jude goes on to talk about those who deviate from the truth or try to teach lies and woo others to follow in their folly. But what I want to highlight is that as followers of Christ, we have been given the Great Helper, the Holy Spirit. It’s the Spirit that reminds us of His promises and points us to our future hope in Jesus’s return! And no matter what trendy false teaching may come and try to lure us away from the Lord, or the crazy circumstances of a broken world that will try to discourage us or steal our peace and joy, we are able to overcome all these things and still be built up in our faith because of the Spirit of God at work in us!
Jude points out that the Spirit is necessary in our being built up in the faith. We don’t have to do this in our own strength. We often try to do everything ourselves, but we are not meant to do that! The Spirit of God testifies to the truth of God and keeps us from error, teaching us where to place our hope and attention. The Spirit guides us to remain in the love of God. He helps us in how to pray, and equips us with wonderful gifts, one of which is patience, and another is peace.
It is one reason I believe our times of worship and prayer are so powerful at the Bridge. These are times when we are doing exactly what Jude encourages us to do, which is to be built up in our faith and praying in the Spirit, while we wait for the return of the Great Bridegroom, Jesus!
And praying in the Spirit also helps us to act as these verses instruct, with mercy for others and not with proud judgment. Also, the Spirit helps us to use grace and intentionality in telling others about how they can know salvation and new life through Christ, just as we have come to know it. And we can do so with genuine care and love, while not being indifferent to sin, which will display how Christ cared for those in the world who were in need.
So, as we enter into yet another week, let us hold fast to the promises of God. Let us pray in the Spirit and be built up in our faith. Let us remember all that we have learned in Christ and walk intentionally with others, being full of grace, mercy, and kindness. And who knows, maybe the Lord will return a little sooner than we think!
Prayer
Father, we thank You for our new life in Christ and the promises that are given through Him! May we remember that all we need for growth is provided through the Holy Spirit, Who helps us in our struggles with the world and our flesh. Grow in us the character of Jesus through the power of the Spirit and the Word! May many people see the way Jesus has changed our lives and that He is willing to change theirs! Amen.
