Jude continues his letter in verse 21, “…keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”

Jude’s message was important for his time. The totality of his letter warns there is a war within the very church, an insider threat that the devil and the powers of deception, greed and pride used in an attempt to thwart the mission of Jesus, that is to bring salvation and life in and through himself. But Jude also understood the external threat to Gods people. Those that sought to divide and suppress truth and strangle life and vibrancy from the Church.

Assuming he lived through the destruction of the second Jewish temple, he certainly saw a swift rise in religious persecution. He lived through the crucifixion of Jesus, stoning of Stephen, death of James, imprisonment of Peter, Paul and others as well as countless deaths unrecorded in scripture. Jude not only had an intimate picture of persecution but he had a good theological understanding of suffering in light of Gods sovereignty.

Even still, suffering, if even for Christ is not the endgame. Worship is.

We don’t have much history on Jude, and many theologians argue the authors identity. (Although I do hold the author was Jesus brother). Still, we can know he had some engagement or communion with Paul.

Paul, or Saul as he was known then, was at Stephens stoning. He was an enemy of the growing Christian church. He persecuted it heavily. It was not until Jesus converted him and literally opened his eyes, that he became one of the forebears of our faith. He was completely transformed, and became one of early Christianity’s missionaries and one of the most influential and prolific writers of the New Testament.

He writes in Romans 5, verses 1 through 5,

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Again, looking at Jude’s message in verses 20 and 21;

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”

The Holy Spirit is a gift from God. Jesus promised His ministry and presence to the early church., as well as to us (John 14:15-17). He gives us the ability to pray, and from that helps us grow in our faith. As Paul wrote and was mentioned above, even suffering like Jude references throughout his letter leads to hope. We have this new trajectory because of the love of God, which has been poured out unto us by the very presence of the Holy Spirit. We didn’t deserve this gift, it was by His grace and for His good pleasure!

Because of our sinful nature and total depravity, we deserved suffering unto death. We instead receive hope. This is the mercy of Jesus.

Understand this: your good works don’t lead to eternal life.

Like Jude writes, things aren’t getting easier. Suffering and persecution are an every present part of Christian life. Don’t just try harder, or push through in your flesh. Rely on the Holy Spirit, let Him minister to you. Seek Him earnestly in prayer. Listen to His wisdom as He illuminates Scripture. Never forget, you are firmly kept in love, and our response to that?

Worship Him who promises to never leave you or forsake you. No matter how bad it gets.

Peace be with you.