Who is causing the division within the Church today regarding belief and behaviour? Is it those who have held to the position of their forefathers and who passed the baton to them? Or is it those who want to change the construct of the Church in order to demonstrate love?
This letter from Jude pulls no punches as we have seen. Centred around the Christian faith are those who by their choices to be whoever they want to be and do whatever they want to do are harming what was passed down to us generationally. These people divide the Church but Jude instructs us to keep ourselves within the love of God. Jude has told his readers to remember what was spoken to them by all the apostles and not just him.
“They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” (Jude v18-23)
Jude leaves no doubt. These are ‘people who divide you’ but we don’t have to be like them. Instead….
- Align yourself with God who is good and out of this goodness love flows. That’s the right order.
- Do not condemn those who disagree with you and do not crush anyone who is doubting what you believe.
- Do not turn your back on those who turn their back on you. Keep working to reach them. If you see someone about to fall into a fire what will you do? Act like that.
- Do not remove the fear of God when showing mercy to those who are false leaders and teachers dividing the Church.
Missions Paul 