I'm not going to lie. I stayed up on November 5 until 2:30 the next morning watching Fox News' coverage of the election. Now, you need to know that I rarely, if ever, watch TV, and never TV news. (I prefer to get my news here and here.)
I was curious. Not fearful, for I know who ultimately rules and reigns over the USA, and it's not a human president. But I did want to know which direction our country would be facing in the near future. I'm not ashamed to say I was glad to watch the map turn red, away from the extreme liberal movements of the past several years.
Did you watch the news that night? Did you go to bed trusting that God would still be God the next day? Whatever your feelings pre- or post-election, I’d like to serve up some thoughts to consider from the book of Jude as we move forward.
Regardless of who you voted for, I think we can all agree that the divisive, hostile spirit of the last several elections has worn us down to the nub, like a pencil dulled from pressing out opinions, or a voice raw from shouting down opponents. I hope to encourage you to shift your focus from presidential candidates and continue to contend for the faith—not via vitriolic one-liners, but by the showing of mercy.
In his letter to those called and beloved in the Father, Jude, who admits he had hoped to revel in the joy of salvation with his brothers and sisters in Christ, must quickly pivot to address a larger issue, namely, “certain people [who] have crept in unnoticed … ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ” (v.4).
I think it's no secret that we are living in a similar cultural moment. Ungodly people have wormed their way into our leadership, saying not much about God whatsoever, encouraging—and sometimes exemplifying—immoral living nonetheless.
Let’s turn off the news and focus on four powerful truths from Jude’s letter.
Rebellion has Occurred Throughout History
Jude reminds his readers that of the people God rescued from captivity in Egypt, many were destroyed due to their unbelief. He references the large group of angels who rebelled against God’s authority and left their glorious position in heaven to dwell in chains of their own making. And most of us know the story of the awful example of Sodom and Gomorrah.
What feels like harsh words are hard truths, written through Jude, inspired by the Holy Spirit:
“But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. Woe to them!” (Jude 10-11).
Judgment is Coming
Why woe? Jude quotes Enoch, the seventh from Adam, who prophesied, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His holy ones to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against Him” (vv.14-15).
Is there any doubt that ungodliness is displeasing to the Lord?
And to be clear, Jude reminds us that ungodly people include grumblers, malcontents, people who follow their own sinful desires; and those who are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage (vv.15-16). Also included in this group are scoffers who follow their own ungodly passions and cause divisions; people who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit (vv.18-19).
Boy, doesn’t that sound familiar? Before you start naming names, especially of particular presidential candidates, ask yourself, does that describe me?
What is the Christian’s response to this coming judgment? What is our responsibility for those who have not yet received Christ’s salvation?
Stand Firm, Show Mercy
Jude says to his brothers and sisters in Christ, “Keep yourself in the love of God” (v. 21). Loving God means loving others (Matthew 22:37-40).
For believers in Christ who have humbly accepted Jesus’ substitutionary payment for our sins, we face the coming judgment with both awe and peace. We know that we have been already declared righteous by the blood of Jesus; there is no need to fear. However, it is tempting to look down on those who don’t know the Lord or who have blatantly refused His call. It’s easy to think, “They’ve made their bed, now they must lie in it,” or some such heartless declaration.
But that’s not what the Spirit inspires to flow from Jude’s pen. Believers, recipients of God’s generous mercy, are encouraged to build themselves up in their faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. We are to “keep ourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life” (v. 21).
On those who are beleaguered and whose faith is wavering? Have mercy. To those who are caught up in the fire of deception? Snatch them from the flames of judgment. To those whose garments are stained by the sins that contaminate their lives? Show mercy, with holy fear, “hating even the garment stained by the flesh” (v.23).
Though our own flesh will tempt us to criticize, to burn with our words, to wash our hands of sinners bent on their own destruction, God gives us the mercy we need by asking us to remember.
In Revelation 2:4-5 we read the message to the church in Ephesus: “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen.” We must remember that by the grace of God, we are sinners who have been washed clean, set free. We must let the compassion of Christ, who is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9) flow through us to those who have not yet tasted that freedom.
God is Our Strong, Sovereign Savior
Jude, the humble half-brother of Jesus, addressed his readers with a blessing of mercy, peace, and love, multiplied. He closes his letter by pointing them to the fount of all those virtues: the One who is able to “keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy” (v. 24). He reminds us that to God alone, for all eternity, belongs all majesty, dominion, and authority.
As we contend for the faith, we can stand firm on the good news of the gospel and show its mercy to those around us. As we pray for our country post-election 2024, may we who believe pray with a heart like Christ’s: full of compassion for those who don't yet know Jesus and the life-giving hope He provides.
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.
And do everything with love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
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