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.

Filth and Debris! (Jude 12-13 Part 5)

12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.      

THE STUDY:

          Continuing the breakdown of verses 12-13, last week we looked at how these intruders were like fruitless trees: they make empty promises. Today, we are going to look at the fifth one: They were like wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame. This portrayal is probably derived from Isaiah 57:20: “But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt.” Like restless waves of the sea, the false teachers leave filthy scum and debris in their wake. Shame is actually plural, shames. Jude may be thinking of the shameful sins of the intruders.

This metaphor makes a different point than the previous images. Whereas the clouds and trees produced nothing, the wild waves actually produce something, but something awful. Instead of edifying other Christians, [the intruder] soils them like the dirt thrown up by a stormy sea.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that non-believers (false teachers) do two things; they produce nothing fruitful to the glory of God and they leave behind guilt and shame for others to deal with.

CONCLUSION:

We have read the headlines and have even watched the documentaries of those false teachers of our day who have left behind a shoreline of filthy scum and debris after their wake. Our hearts have gone out to those who were mis-led and we may have even questioned “How could someone fall prey to this?”

As many of you know, I was not raised in the church. It was not until my mid 20’s did I come to know Jesus Christ as my personal savior. In those years leading up to my salvation experience I had done some things that were not appropriate when it came to girls. Without going into detail, I had basically done what these spiritual leaders had done: mislead for my own pleasure and left a wake of filth and debris for these women to deal with. I have asked God to forgive me for these sins and have asked those (as the opportunity has arose) who I have hurt to forgive me as well.

There is a possibility we have all been in this situation before, where we were either the “false teacher” or “the victim!” Today we may realize we are the ones who are out for personal gain. Better yet, we may realize we are being led astray to be left behind to deal with the guilt and shame. Let today be the day we either receive forgiveness or extend forgiveness to those who may have left us to deal with the filth and debris. God’s blessings and goodness are just on the other side of forgiveness.

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 (282). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

I John 2:12

View Video Blog Right Click Link: I John 2:12

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.

THE STUDY:

          In verses 12-13 we see the statement, “I am writing to you” repeated three times. As we study the word of God one of the things we should pay attention to is repeated words or phrases. John repeats this statement so we need to look at the reason why. With certainty, we can say John is referring to this Epistle and not some other letter. In a letter, when someone writes “I am writing to you” is will be followed by the reason why they are writing. The scripture is no different. After all three incidences, John tells the reader why he is writing this Epistle.

          In this verse John holds no punches! He starts with the very foundational pillar of Christianity; Forgiveness of Sin! John goes on to say for his name’s sake. To do something on account of the name of a person is the same as doing it on account of that person. Forgiveness ‘on account of the name’ is shorthand for what is spelled out more fully elsewhere. God forgives our sins because of Jesus Christ, the one whom he sent as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.^[1]

          I share all of this with you this morning because it will help us to understand the next couple of verses. The thing that stands out to me in this passage is the statement, “little children!” Most scholars believe John is referring to “all” and not just children or immature believers. John uses the term “children” frequently throughout his writings. This presents the feel of an authoritative figure (Pastor of sort) sharing the written word. When he says, “I write,” he means that his words, being penned, are permanent. The members of the church are apt to forget the spoken word, but that which is written stays. ^[2]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

As a new believer in Christ I struggled with the fact that I WAS FORGIVEN. I still stand in amazement today to the fact of God’s Love for me, He forgives me! All I have to do is ask. If you struggle with the same thing let me say this, “YOU ARE FORGIVEN!” The next time Satan tries to get you to think you are not go back to that moment you asked Christ into your heart or remember this moment and relive it over and over again. It will remind you that “God forgave so Satan go away.”

CONCLUSION:

         

I heard about a tribe of Eskimos, the Moravians. The missionaries, who first went to these Eskimos, could not find a word in their language for forgiveness, so they had to compound one. The compound word is,  “Issumagijoujungnainermik.” It is a long assembly of letters, but an expression that has a beautiful connotation for those who understand it. It means: “Not-being-able-to-think-about-it-anymore.” Let Jesus do this for us today. So that those sins that we have been forgiven for will not be able to be thought of anymore.

           

         

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Kruse, C. G. (2000). The letters of John. The Pillar New Testament commentary (89). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.

^[2] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (265). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.