Building Yourselves Up On Your Most Holy Faith

Building Yourselves Up On Your Most Holy Faith But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 20-21 Jude is a book about contending for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.  Jude spends a great deal of time talking about those who creep into the church unnoticed and begin to cause divisions and lead people astray. Jude does not claim to be an apostle.  It is interesting  that Jude refers us back to the apostle's writings.  He says in verse 17,  " But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts." If you go back to 2 Peter 3:1-3 we see, "This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts," It's as if Jude is almost quoting Peter here.  But notice that Jude refers us back to the apostles and Peter refers us back to the prophets.  We see that the Old and New Testaments are very important to our spiritual growth and not being led astray. How are we to protect ourselves from these who would lead us astray?  Verses 20 and 21 hold the answer. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 20-21 Build yourself up in the faith...this means study the Bible, both Old and New Testaments Pray in the Holy Ghost (Spirit)...cultivate a serious prayer life Keep yourself in the love of God...don't let anyone convince you that God doesn't love you unless you conform to their legalistic standards. Look forward to the mercy of Christ in eternal life to come.  In other words, keep your eyes on the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ. Jude is a practical book about contending for the faith.  It is short and I challenge you to read it this week and meditate on its message. ____________________________________________ If you would like to receive these weekly devotionals in your inbox sign up here. Please visit me at Sufficient Grace For Suffering Saints If you or someone you know needs help preparing a shower talk, here is help!  Bridal Shower Talk Help