Our scripture this morning is Jude 1:17-21.
But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
In this short letter Jude speaks to concerns over false teachings and his concerns for the people of his time are still an issue today. We hear the values of society (be what you want) being promoted rather than the Gospel (be like Jesus). Jude was not the only one who worried about this.
The church fathers warned of false teaching: Luke in Acts 20:29-30, Paul in 1 Timothy 4:1-3, John in 2 John 1:7, as did Jesus Himself in Matthew 24:5. We are to focus on the truth as taught by Jesus and the disciples rather than the desires of the world around us. God wants us to live full and fulfilling lives but not to do whatever we please.
Jude reminds us to “keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” The world can offer only temporary things. Eternal life is the gift God promises to those who are faithful and keep His commandments.
Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have listened to the voice of the world and not Your word. Forgive us and strengthen us in faith to stand against evil and bring Your love to all. Amen.
