Mercy That Leads to Life

It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. Jude 14-16

“these” that Jude referred to were the “defiled dreamers” and false prophets who were busily infiltrating the Church with their lies and distortions, taking advantage of the naiveté  and graciousness of the true believers in Jesus Christ. Enoch’s writings were not part of the canon, but he was known to be a true believer who was so close to God that he was taken alive into heaven. He stands as an example of the true Church, which will be raptured before the great tribulation, and will return in glory with Christ at His second advent. While Enoch lived on the earth, he was given this doctrine by the Lord Jesus Christ, and the writers of the New Testament shared it with us.

The issue in Jude’s reference: “these” ungodly impostors are not really getting away with anything. Their judgment is coming, and as a matter of fact, the Church will be front row center when their judgment occurs. “These” folks are not content to learn and obey God’s Word, because of their evil self-indulgences, so they speak harshly against God’s plan and all who love it (it’s a bloody gospel. “It isn’t fair to send a good person to burn in hell, just because they don’t believe something they cannot prove.” I was told that yesterday). They love to run with the popular crowd, and will compromise the Word of God and reject the Way of the Cross in order to appease their apostate or unsaved friends. They see it as an advantage in society and business to cater to the preferences of the worldlings, rather than stand on the Truth of God’s Word. 

“These” people not only are carnal in attitude and behavior, but they have worldly friends whose opinions they respect and whose lifestyle they admire.  Many of those glamorous worldlings demand approval for their lusts, or “you cannot be my friend.” Jesus IS their friend. He laid down his glory and paid their death penalty for the salvation of their souls. He never approved their evil lifestyle or consuming lusts. They are lying to themselves and to you and me about that. Jesus is the only Savior. They have rejected Him. He is also the only Judge

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. Jude 17-19

We were adequately forewarned. The scoffers are rampant. If they don’t like a scripture, they simply deny it or distort it, to suit their own pleasure. They are worldly, being devoid of the Holy Spirit. If they are unbelievers, they’ve never had the Holy Spirit indwelling, so they really don’t comprehend the plan of God (and most don’t want to). If they are carnal believers who have given themselves over to reversionism, they also do not have the Holy Spirit’s perspective, because they have quenched Him and grieved Him, shutting Him out of their consciousness.  Hence, they think like unbelievers. They are by and large religious, however, and love to keep the Church in turmoil by dividing the priorities and creating emotional disputes. Rather than openly denying Jesus Christ, they misstate His purpose. 

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Jude 20-23

We who love God’s Word and pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance will be secure in our faith, and we can afford to be merciful on those who honestly do not know enough, have not grown up enough, to truly love the Lord Jesus Christ an place Him and His Word above all. We must be patient examples to them as they learn and apply solid truth to their lives.  Some may even be shockable enough, when we hit them with the truth of the Word, to repent and get with the program that God has ordained. They can be “snatched out of the fire” and set on the right path, if they are willing to learn. Some will not repent and don’t want to hear about our love for them or our prayers for them, but may be able to comprehend that this physical life is coming to an end, and they must face judgment. If they have felt trapped in their own lust pattern, that might be the incentive they need to break free.

The point is we cannot give up. We must stand our ground, which is the Word of God. And we’d better be right, who take this stand, declaring it accurately, with love and grace to those who are prone to take offense at anything they consider judgmental. People are very emotional about their lusts, and will defend to the death their “right” to those lusts, saying any who try to correct them are just bigots. Occasionally, though, there is one who is truly confused, or who hasn’t been taught what the Bible actually says about a sin, and when they are shown that, they are humbly repentant. That occasional one makes all our prayers and preaching worth everything we and our Lord have put into them. Those rewards are exhilarating, when they occur.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,  to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 24-25

Jesus purchased us from the slave market and set us free. He did all the work for our salvation, and He did all the work for our security IN HIM. He keeps us from stumbling and will present us, perfect, to our glorious God! It is His great joy to do so. In this world we have evil to deal with, but He has overcome the world. Even in the midst of all the dire warnings, our assurance is always at the forefront, giving us comfort and peace. Now and forever. Amen.