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.

Jude 20

The short letter of Jude says much about false teachers and judgment, but ends with the encouraging words for Jude’s dear friends. Not only does the verse above encourage growing in faith, but Jude gives us another glimpse into the theology of the Trinity by mentioning the Holy Spirit, God the Father and Christ in the single verse.

When we are established in our faith, we experience the opportunity to help others – as we 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 22-23).

Like firefighters rushing into a burning building, we are called to rescue those whose faith has been damaged by false teachers. Jude describes the false teachers as “grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud- mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage”(Jude 16), but reminds the faithful to have mercy on the doubters.

First, mercy in action means that we show kindness and concern to those in need. Mercy distinguishes the life of a Christian to do good by restoring others. Paul told the Galatians that those “who are spiritual should restore (the one caught up in a sin) in a spirit of gentleness. In response to the false teacher described by Jude, we are to point them back to the accurate dependence on Christ and a biblical view of our response to God’s mercy and grace.

Second, we need a healthy fear of sin ourselves. While we are having compassion on the individual we must have a proper view of the consequences of falling a false teacher so that we are not led down the same path. If sin (greed, sexual immorality, pride, etc.) wasn’t attractive at some level, then no one would be tempted to head off in the wrong direction, right? So, let’s remember the consequences – the broken lives, families and relationships as we run into the fire.

Is your heart broken for those who are wandering in the darkness? Will you act?