HAVE MERCY! (Jude 22-23)

And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

THE STUDY:

          After securing their own salvation, believers must help those whose spiritual condition is uncertain. Jude commands his readers to reach out to three different groups of people.

First, they must have mercy to those who doubt (diakrinomenous: dispute). Jude uses the same Greek word to describe the archangel Michael who was “disputing” with the devil (v 9). The translation doubt is the more usual meaning. Within the context, Jude is more likely to have urged his readers to be merciful to those who doubt than to those who are disputing.

           “Those who doubt” probably refers to believers who were influenced by the false teaching of the intruders. Just as Jude’s readers have set their hope on the mercy (eleos) of the Lord Jesus Christ (v 21), they are now urged to have mercy (eleate) to believers wavering in doubt.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that salvation is not an end result but a beginning point. Accepting Jesus as our Lord and savior doesn’t mean we then sit back and coast to the finish line. We are to “BE CHRIST” to those who don’t believe or have doubt. We help those who don’t believe or are doubting through love and mercy.

APPLICATION:

Many of us have watched the old TV show, “Full House!” One of the characters on the show named “Uncle Jesse” had a phrase he would use when he felt he was about to receive a gift or blessing that he didn’t deserve. He would say, “Have Mercy.”

This morning I believe it would be appropriate for us to say the same thing! Go ahead, say it! “HAVE MERCY!” That felt weird right? WHY? Because mercy is kindness or forgiveness shown especially to somebody a person has power over. As sinners we feel we don’t deserve forgiveness but yet God sees us as someone who does.

Many of you reading this devotional today understand what mercy feels like. But, there are people in your circle of friends who don’t or they doubt it. Be that person today that extends Christ to them. “Have Mercy!”

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (295). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.