Ready Day 7 Laboring Love: Digging Deeper
Digging Deeper Days
Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Laboring Love!
The Questions
1) What is being connected and contrasted by the two words “but you” in verse 20?
2) How is Jude encouraging his readers to respond to “those” and “others” in verses 22-23?
3) Who is the one in verse 24 who is able to protect them from stumbling in the ways Jude previously mentioned in verses 4 and 10?
Jude 1:20-25
20 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. 22 Have mercy on those who waver; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. 24 Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory without blemish and with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now, and forever. Amen.
Original Intent
1) What is being connected and contrasted by the two words “but you” in verse 20?
The Bible book of Jude is considered to be a “general epistle” written to a broad audience. Epistles (a letter or message) were the primary form of communication in New Testament times. Though difficult to determine, it is thought to be written somewhere between A.D. 60 and 140. (netbible.org) The name of the author was “Judas,” but most English translators have used the name “Jude” to avoid connection with the one who betrayed Jesus. Most Bible teachers believe he was the half-brother of Jesus, though he did not see Him as the Christ until after the resurrection. (enduringword.com) Jude’s letter is filled with references to Old Testament stories. By recalling history that was familiar to the readers Jude reminded them of the urgency of sincere faith, Spirit-led prayers, and obedience to God. Just as the apostle Paul was concerned for his fellow believers in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3), Jude also desired believers to know his love for them, even though he knew he was writing to many he would never meet. (verse 2) He had hoped to write about their shared salvation (verse 3), but he “found it necessary” to address a serious issue that had arisen among them. Contrasting the people who were “discontented grumblers, living according to their desires” and “flattering people for their own advantage”, Jude wanted his readers to remember what they had been taught and to remain in the faith and love of God. (Jude 1:17-20) He bluntly described in verses 10-13 the people who were causing division, and compared them against those who had received the Spirit of God through Christ. Jude begins verse 17 and verse 20 with “but you, friends…”, effectively juxtaposing the way godly believers should be living and the way some of the ungodly in their midst were conducting themselves and misrepresenting who Jesus Christ really was.
2) How is Jude encouraging his readers to respond to “those” and “others” in verses 22-23?
Jude’s tone may seem harsh at times, due to his obvious agony over those who sought to deceive these dear friends of his. But this “servant of Jesus Christ” reveals his deep care for them as he closes his letter with reassurances of God’s love and confidence in their perseverance. (verse 21) Just as they were to personally obey God and spiritually fight for the faith they proclaimed and possessed (verse 3), Jude wanted them to have wisdom and humility as they interacted with others in their circle. Jude used the word “mercy” twice in verses 22-23. Though he had strong words for those who had wormed their way into the church, his desire was to present these people to God as pure and holy by calling out correction to their trajectory. As a servant of Jesus Christ, he possessed a divine love for them which connected his heart to theirs through their common salvation and shared indwelling of the Holy Spirit. His firm warning of truth was tempered with words of grace. The Bible says in John 1:14 that Jesus Christ is characterized by total truth and total grace. Jude’s words of concern were combined with words of compassion. He recognized the challenge in determining those who were merely struggling in their faith from those defiantly opposing it, and he offered practical encouragement. Being led in prayer by the Holy Spirit (verse 20), the saints of God were to be patient with the doubters, but also boldly confront sin that was evident in some. Unlike those who had no reverence for God (verse 12), connecting the fear and mercy of God is essential when disciplinary action is necessary. “Being merciful without fear can turn to unwarranted sympathy for the individual, absolving him of personal responsibility, but fearing God without showing mercy can turn into personal judgment and condemnation.” (NetBible.org)
3) Who is the one in verse 24 who is able to protect them from stumbling in the ways Jude previously mentioned in verses 4 and 10?
Jude ends his epistle with a beautiful doxology, a declaration of praise to God. He has told his readers to “keep yourselves in the love of God” (verse 21), and now tells them how this happens! The Bible explains that righteousness does not come from ourselves, but from God alone. (Philippians 3:6) It also asserts that we are to work out our salvation in the way we submit to God. We keep from stumbling by active obedience that comes out of our salvation, not working for our salvation. (Philippians 2:12-13) Thankfully, the good news for the recipients of Jude’s message was that those who were firmly in Christ didn’t need to be anxious about keeping themselves “in the most holy faith” (verse 20) by their own effort or strength alone. It was God’s power in them that would keep them from denying Jesus (verse 4) and being destroyed (verse 10). It is God, the “only God,” who makes us able to stand in His presence “without blemish and with great joy!” (verse 25) Jude encouragers his believing friends to be faithful and patient and reassures them they can trust God to be faithful to present them unblemished before Himself. (Romans 7–8) It is this truth that causes Jude to break out in praise and recognition of the One who possesses all “glory, majesty, power and authority” forever. (verse 25)
Everyday Application
1) What is being connected and contrasted by the two words “but you” in verse 20?
The “evil works” Jude mentioned in his letter were evidence that some in their midst had abandoned The Faith. As I read his admonition, I feel his agony for them to continue striving for holiness. His love for them, even though he wasn’t with them, jumps up from the pages of Scripture. Jude wanted to write about all the good things they experienced as companions and recipients of God’s grace, but he knew it was more pressing to begin with a warning. He realized the warning was just as necessary as the encouragement he eventually shared. Scripture tells us God’s mercy and kindness leads people to see their need for Him and to repent. (Romans 2:4) But there are times we must state the stark contrast between those who live for God and those who do not. I like sharing good news! When I write, I try to offer the most positive way of seeing things. Every now and then, though, the bad news must be presented to know just how good the good news really is! If I saw, from a distance, a friend walking in a beautiful field of flowers, my initial thought would be to wave and smile and shout out how glorious it looked there. But if I looked ahead and saw a snake hanging from a tree she was nearing, I would interrupt myself with shouts of warning and dread. Jude deeply loved the church, calling them his friends. Because they were so dear to him, in love, he warned them of how important it is to stand firm in Christ’s love and to remain hopeful and ready for His coming return.
2) How is Jude encouraging his readers to respond to “those” and “others” in verses 22-23?
Author and pastor, Tim Keller, says, “Truth without grace is not really truth, and grace without truth is not really grace.” I am so thankful Jude includes instruction about “those” who hadn’t completely abandoned The Faith. Sometimes we are in circles with people who have not fully rejected God, but who are on the verge of walking away or who doubt His goodness. Sister, I have been there. I have wondered how I am supposed to respond. Demonstrating the love of God sometimes means waiting on someone (and with someone) to find answers to strengthen their weak faith. We can assist them by offering accountability through Bible study and by fervently praying for them and with them. We hate the sin sitting at the root of their pride and doubt, but we mercifully wait on God to show them their sin. In verse 23, Jude reminded them to confront “with fear”, which indicates how our truthful warning to our brothers and sisters of encroaching sin should be done in humility and love. (Matthew 7:4-5) We are never to conduct ourselves with an attitude of sanctimonious superiority. “He has graciously accommodated Himself to my weakness, borne with my mistakes, and helped me through innumerable prejudices, which, but for His mercy, would have been insuperable hindrances: I have therefore no right to be angry, impatient, or censorious, especially as I have still much to learn, and am so poorly influenced by what I seem to know.” (John Newton)
3) Who is the one in verse 24 who is able to protect them from stumbling in the ways Jude previously mentioned in verses 4 and 10?
When Jude says God is able to protect us “from stumbling”, it literally means that He keeps us unfallen! (studylight.org) We see this even more clearly as he goes on to write that we stand in the presence of God’s glory “without blemish.” One of the things I love about Scripture is the paradox. Do we stand firm or is it God holding us up? YES! Some Christians adhere to a belief system that declares we are “once saved, always saved.” If I was hard-pressed to concisely explain the gospel’s power to keep us, I would not be hesitant to use this four-word phrase. I believe it is Scripturally accurate. But, dear Sister, there is much more to our salvation than a mere nod to certain truths, an appropriately worded prayer, or even a baptism. There must be a sincere desire to surrender to Christ. Jude had found the ultimate source of mercy, peace, and love. He knew that he served Jesus because Jesus was keeping him. (verses 1-2) Jude’s passionate plea was a matter of life and death to those he dearly loved. Even in his closing remarks of blessing, he preaches a mini sermon to his friends, Jesus is the only God. Jesus is the only Savior. Jesus is Lord of all, and He is Lord forever. AND it is this Jesus who holds us fast and keeps us ready for His return. He receives us with endless mercy, and faithfully safeguards our souls, when we come to Him in humble faith and truly repentant hearts, ready to surrender to Him!
What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Laboring Love!
Digging Deeper is for Everyone!
1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!
Digging Deeper Community
Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!
Our Current Study Theme!
This is Ready Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!
Why Dig Deeper?
Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.
In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!
Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.
Study Tools
We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.
Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!
Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))
Memorize It!
Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.
