Read Jude 20–23
Questions from the Scripture text: What does Jude call them in Jude 20? What are they to be doing to themselves (cf. Philippians 2:12–13)? Upon what are they to be building themselves? What is the quality of this faith? What activity particularly marks this building up of themselves? Who sustains even this activity? What sort of Spirit is He? What else are they to do to themselves (Jude 21)? In what must they do this keeping of themselves? Unto what does one look, for this keeping of oneself in God’s love? Whose mercy? Which must at last result in what? And what must their disposition be toward some (Jude 22)? If they are to contend earnestly against and put the fear into some, but be compassionate toward others, what does this require them to make? At what are they to aim as they put this fear into them (Jude 23)? From what would they be saving/pulling them (cf. Jude 6-7)? What must they hate as they do this (cf. Zechariah 3:4)?
How are we supposed to apply this letter? Jude 20–23 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we apply the book of Jude by pursuing growth first for ourselves, and then for others.
Apply to yourself first. There is a Scripture principle that those who are going to help others escape their remaining sin ought to exercise themselves in putting their own sin to death first. The one who would help his brother with a speck must first attend to his own plank (cf. Matthew 7:5). The one who helps a brother that is ensnared in a trespass, must be the spiritual one who has gained the spirit of gentleness (cf. Galatians 6:1) in his own flesh vs Spirit combat (cf. Galatians 5:16–21) that has produced in him this fruit (cf. Galatians 5:22–25). Now as Jude makes the concluding application to his little letter, he speaks similarly: apply it to yourself first (Jude 20-21) so that you are able to apply it to others like you (Jude 22) and even to those who do not seem to be believers at all (Jude 23).
Learning how grace sanctifies by applying it to ourselves (Jude 20-21). We are beloved (Jude 20). That’s where sanctification begins. If we love Him, we will keep His commandments. But it is because He first loved us that we love Him. So “beloved” in verse 20 is not a throwaway title but important, practical theology.
Responsibility: “building yourselves up.” Sanctification is a duty; we are obligated to do it, and we are active in it. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” says the apostle (cf. Philippians 2:12).
Dependence on grace: “faith” … “praying” … “Spirit.” This building depends not upon us and our (required/necessary) effort, but upon God’s grace; it is done by faith. Even for this faith, we must be “praying.” It is “not of yourselves, but the gift of God” (cf. Ephesians 2:8). And, even this praying is done “in the Spirit.” We can’t even pray, except by God’s help and grace (cf. Romans 8:26)!
Trinitarian love. The benediction of 2 Corinthians 13:14 is approximated, here, in reverse. There, it is the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Here, it is the fellowship of the Holy Spirit in prayer, the love of God, and the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is this treble love of the Triune God that drives sanctification.
Making the distinction in dealing with others (Jude 22b). When it comes to dealing with others, there are some upon whom we are to have compassion, and others whom we are to save with fear. “Making a distinction” is part of our duty. Obviously, a professing Christian in good standing, one who is struggling as we do, belongs to the first group. But the second group are those who are still in danger of hell-fire. These would be unbelievers, those who have been put out of the church by discipline, and those unrepentant who may be on their way to discipline.
Merciful manner with struggling saints (Jude 22a). The manner in which we are to deal with other believers should be merciful. The word is the verb form of the noun “mercy” from the previous verse. We learn to be merciful with others in helping them pursue sanctification, because we are pointing them to a merciful Christ, Whose mercy we have personally experienced in this same area of His work in our lives. This is part of the reason that we must apply this letter to ourselves, first, before we apply it to others.
Severe/urgent manner with the unrepentant (Jude 23). Dealing with the unrepentant is especially for church officers (although there is a unique assignment of it to parents who have unrepentant children). Unrepentance is no time for tenderness. The house of their life is on fire, and if they are not delivered from the guilt and domination of their flesh, they are going to burn. Unbelievers can’t be sanctified because they don’t have Christ or His Spirit. These must literally have the fear put into them and be taught to hate everything to do with their fleshliness, turning from it to Christ—turning from belonging to themselves to belonging to Him.
What is your experience of God’s grace in growing you in holy living? How has this equipped you in being helpful to others in their own growth?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for when we haven’t cared to be holy, and for when we have not put forth effort to be holy. But, forgive us all the more for when we have treated the pursuit of holiness as if it were something that we ourselves could accomplish. Grant that we would rest upon Your grace through prayer that rests upon Your Spirit. And forgive us for when we have been severe with Your tender sheep, rather than merciful like You have been merciful with us. On the other hand, forgive us for when we have treated unbelievers as if they could be sanctified, or as if they could afford to drag their feet in turning to Christ. Thank You for Your triune love in Him, through Whom we pray, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside?” or TPH404 “The Church’s One Foundation”
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