Jude 1: 17-24
But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.[f]
24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Scripture Commentary:
Effective witnessing saves people from their own ungodly desires and God’s judgement. We witness to some through our compassion and kindness. To others we witness as if we were snatching them from the eternal fire.
Witnessing is serious business. It is a matter of life and death.
To hate even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh means that we are to hate the sin. But we must witness to and love the sinner. We shouldn’t take witnessing lightly. It is a matter of life and death.
When reaching out to others, we must be sure that our own footing is safe and secure. If not, the non-Christian can turn you. Influence them for Christ.
To be sinless and perfect will be the ultimate condition of the believer when he or she finally sees Christ face to face. Coming into Christ’s presence will be more wonderful than we could ever imagine!
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