Reinforce Your Faith

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” Jude 1:20-23

False teachers have existed and will exist in every generation. Jesus said the “wheat” (believers) and the “tares” (unbelievers) would grow together “until the harvest” (Christ’s return) (Matt. 13:29-30). Rather than direct our attention to the subtle presence of the tares, Jude outlines the proper orientation for the church.

First, we are to build ourselves up on our “most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 1:20).

Second, we are to keep ourselves “in the love of God...” (Jude 1:21). Though we are called to good works in Christ’s name and power, our priority is to keep Him zealously as our “first love” (Rev. 2:4).

Third, we are to wait, “anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life” (Jude 1:21). Our ultimate hope is to see Christ face to face. We really are only pilgrims and aliens on earth; Heaven is our final destination.

Fourth, we are to “save others, snatching them out of the fire...” (Jude 1:23). We are to be busy rescuing those who dwell in dankness, sharing the light and truth that comes only through Christ.

As we reinforce our faith in these ways, we can stand firm and sure against any tide of false doctrine.

The best defense is a good offense.