Jude 1:20-21 NIV
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
In Jude 1:20-21, the author encourages believers to actively engage in their faith and spiritual practices while awaiting the fulfillment of God's promises. The context of these verses is a letter written by Jude, likely the brother of James and Jesus, to urge Christians to contend earnestly for the faith against false teachings and immoral behavior that were infiltrating the early Christian communities.
In the preceding verses, Jude warns about the presence of false teachers who distort the truth and lead people astray. He describes them as ungodly individuals who pervert God's grace into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ as their Master and Lord. Jude compares these false teachers to various figures from Jewish and Christian history who faced judgment due to their rebellion and unbelief.
Against this backdrop, Jude encourages believers to stand firm in their faith and actively pursue spiritual growth. In verses 20-21, he provides specific instructions for how they can do this:
Building themselves up in their most holy faith: This involves strengthening their faith through study, reflection, and application of God's Word. Believers are called to deepen their understanding of the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, thereby fortifying themselves against false doctrine.
Praying in the Holy Spirit: Prayer is essential for maintaining spiritual vitality and intimacy with God. By praying in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers can align their will with God's and receive strength, wisdom, and discernment to navigate the challenges they face.
Keeping themselves in God's love: This encompasses living in obedience to God's commandments and walking in love toward God and others. By remaining steadfast in their relationship with God, believers can experience the fullness of His love and protection even amidst trials and temptations.
Waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring eternal life: Believers are encouraged to maintain hope and anticipation for the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises—the return of Jesus Christ and the inheritance of eternal life. This hope sustains them through difficulties and motivates them to persevere in faithfulness until the day of Christ's glorious appearing.
Jude 1:20-21 underscores the importance of active participation in one's faith, reliance on the Holy Spirit, obedience to God's Word, and hopeful expectation of Christ's return as essential components of Christian living in the face of opposition and deception.
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