#268 CONTENDING FOR THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST 10-11-26

The little book of Jude shows us that the Christian life is more than wearing the name of Jesus. It is about reflecting the character of Jesus. Jude warns believers about ungodliness, spiritual corruption, and those who turn the grace of God into an excuse for sinful living. Grace is not permission to wander away from God. It is the gift that brings us near to Him and teaches us to live for His glory.

Jude describes certain people as “clouds without water, carried about by the winds” (Jude 12). What a picture of spiritual emptiness! A cloud promises rain, but without water it leaves the ground dry. Likewise, a person may speak religious words, wear a religious appearance, and claim a relationship with Christ while possessing little evidence of His transforming power.

But Jude does not leave us without encouragement. He tells Christians to build themselves up in their most holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep themselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life (Jude 20-21). The answer to spiritual confusion is not abandoning the faith, but growing deeper in our relationship with the Lord.

Then comes a beautiful reminder: we are to have compassion on those who struggle, seeking to rescue them from destruction while remaining watchful against sin (Jude 22-23). Truth must never become an excuse for cruelty, and compassion must never become an excuse for compromise.

Jude closes by pointing our eyes toward the One who is able to keep us from stumbling and present us faultless before His glorious presence with exceeding joy (Jude 24). Our confidence rests not in our strength, but in our Savior. Let us stand firmly in the truth, walk faithfully in love, and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ.

BDD