Words of Wisdom #30

We have been looking at the urgent warning Jude gave this group of believers about a dangerous invasion into the church: the twisting of the love and grace of God in Christ to be merely the acceptance of sinful behavior.  These people, some of them leaders, were bullying their way in, making all sorts of false accusations against God's people, dividing the church - but most of all, they were rebelling against Christ. 

So, how should they respond? How should we respond? Hold fast to and contend for the true faith and grace of God.  We are not to bully in return, but definitely show ourselves to be different.  We are to show mercy to the confused and doubting, but also cling to our own purity. We are to live like Jesus is Lord. Jude now concludes with a blessing my dad used almost exclusively in his ministry, which is very appropriate in where we find ourselves today:

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

As we submit and commit ourselves to Him, and the true Gospel of Grace, He will see us through this assault on grace, full of hope and joy.