JUDE , Sarah Barry
KEEP YOURSELVES IN GOD'S LOVE
Passage: Jude 1:17~25  
Key verse: 21
A Call to Persevere
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles(A) of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.(B) 18 They said to you, “In the last times(C) there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”(D) 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.(E)
20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up(F) in your most holy faith(G) and praying in the Holy Spirit,(H) 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait(I) for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.(J)
22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire;(K) to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.[a](L)
Doxology
24 To him who is able(M) to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence(N) without fault(O) and with great joy— 25 to the only God(P) our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!(Q) Amen.(R)
Footnotes
- Jude 1:23 The Greek manuscripts of these verses vary at several points.
Cross references
- Jude 1:17 : S Eph 4:11
- Jude 1:17 : Heb 2:3; 2Pe 3:2
- Jude 1:18 : 1Ti 4:1; 2Ti 3:1; 2Pe 3:3
- Jude 1:18 : ver 16; 2Pe 2:1; 3:3
- Jude 1:19 : 1Co 2:14, 15
- Jude 1:20 : Col 2:7; 1Th 5:11
- Jude 1:20 : ver 3
- Jude 1:20 : Eph 6:18
- Jude 1:21 : Tit 2:13; Heb 9:28; 2Pe 3:12
- Jude 1:21 : S Mt 25:46
- Jude 1:23 : Am 4:11; Zec 3:2-5; 1Co 3:15
- Jude 1:23 : Rev 3:4
- Jude 1:24 : S Ro 16:25
- Jude 1:24 : S 2Co 4:14
- Jude 1:24 : Col 1:22
- Jude 1:25 : Jn 5:44; 1Ti 1:17
- Jude 1:25 : Heb 13:8
- Jude 1:25 : S Ro 11:36
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. Remember what you were taught (17-19)
The appearance of ungodly false teachers in the church should not surprise believers. The apostles who gave us Jesus' words warned us about scoffers in the last days. We just need to remember their words so we can be spiritually prepared, and not be discouraged or tempted to follow ungodly ways.
2. Keep building yourselves up (20-25)
In an ungodly world, we should keep building ourselves up through prayer, and remain in God's love, patiently waiting on Jesus' mercy. Jude also teaches the wisdom of how to live as a shepherd for people with different spiritual conditions: being merciful to some, urgently rescuing some, and staying away from others. Jude ends by blessing all believers with the confidence that God is able to keep them from stumbling and lead them to God's glorious presence.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your grace and love that sustains me to the end. Grant me wisdom to serve all kinds of people.
One Word: Build yourself up as a shepherd