We find some instructions in the small Book of Jude that help us as believers under-stand what our role is to be with non-Christians. Many of you may be faced with at least one of these three, and you are wondering what God’s expectations are of you. Let’s take a look at verses 22-23 for our answers.
“Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”
Breaking these down, we need to first of all act mercifully toward the weak and doubting. As Matthew Henry points out in his commentary on the book of Jude, there is a difference between a weak and a willful person. This part of the verse suggests that a weak and doubting person will likely respond positively to the Gospel when we give time for more spiritual truth to be revealed to them, and when we assure them of our love and friendship regardless of whether they ever commit their life to Christ.
Second, we need to aggressively walk through the obvious doors God opens for us to share the Gospel with others and help them cross the line of faith. It is on this point that merely “living a good Christian life” just won’t cut it. You’ve got to bring up Jesus to the lost that you are burdened for.
And third, we must be careful to not cross a line that causes us to compromise and be associated with sin in our attempts to bring someone to Jesus. The hatred mentioned in this verse has nothing to do with being a harsh, judgmental person toward the lost. But it has everything to do with making sure we ourselves do not become the mission field by getting pulled into a lifestyle of casual sin (Galatians 6:1 ).
Out of these instructions given by Jude, which one strikes you as the most difficult to fulfill and why?
– Pastor Curtis
