Summary
The Book of Jude was reviewed from beginning to end – not to worry! It only has 24 verses. However, it was remarkable that Jude intended to write about the common salvation through Christ in all the churches; instead, Jude felt burdened to caution the congregations to stand firm in their faith, and to be aware of infiltrators who would bend the truth, dilute their faith, and abuse the believers spiritually.
Jude uses several illustrations from the Old Testament and from extra-biblical resources in the Jewish tradition of God’s judgment on those who mock or deny faith in God. Jude gives us a catechism of four actions to remain faithful:
- Build up yourselves in a holy faith – construct a strong unified structure
- Pray in the Holy Spirit – see Ephesians 6:18, Galatians 4:6
- Keep yourselves in God’s live and in obedience to his will
- Wait – for the mercy of the Lord to bring you to eternal life – not passively.
He cautions us to be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them, and show mercy mixed with fear.