JUDE

The following comments are from Navigator's and Quiet Time Diary journals. One verse will be entered, then the comment, then the date.

v. 3    Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

    This verse seems to explain how the Bible was written. Jude felt convicted to write - he called it "the necessity to write" this letter. The topic was given to him, and now to us, that we "contend earnestly for the faith." The great majority of people are unbelievers, and will do anything to discredit our beliefs. (DRM 8/19/09)

v. 6    And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.

    No one knows when the great day of judgment is coming. These angels, now demons, are surely anxious to do their work - as written in Revelation. My purpose in life should be to keep as many people from this fate as possible. Sometimes I don't feel very useful in the big picture. (DRM 12/31/05)

v. 9    But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."

    Certainly Michael and the devil are higher rank than people in this instance. They both know God better than I do . . . and they only let God Himself pronounce judgment. I should do likewise - and let God judge those who make like uncomfortable for both me and the world in general. (DRM 12/31/05)

v. 10    But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed.

    These men are the same ungodly teachers/people from verse four. Even today it seems that the people who criticize Christians and our faith are people who never read the Bible from cover to cover. They pick and choose items to criticize - if they read any of it.
    How can we open their eyes and soul? We can't change anyone - only the Holy Spirit can change them - we (I) must continue to have them see how a Christian life is lived out - thus showing them the way. (DRM 8/20/09)

v. 16    These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts, they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.

    Jude is still speaking of the ungodly here. This short list is convicting to me because I have been a grumbler when something didn't go "my" way. As I see more lists, I continue to see how I need to improve - and to live a more Christian life that is pleasing to the Lord Jesus. (DRM 8/21/09)

v. 18b, 19    "In the last time there shall be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts." ¹⁹These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit,

    I think we all follow after some worldly desire at some point. We are the same as the "worldly-minded" described here; BUT, to us this is sin that can be forgiven. The Holy Spirit will convict us, and we must ask forgiveness. I must continue to confess my sins to grow more like Jesus every day. (DRM 12/31/05)

v. 20-21    But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

    This sentence is a reminder to "keep the faith." Generally, "building yourselves up" would mean to learn more about the faith in Bible reading and study. We should all have an attitude of continuous prayer, and then looking forward to eternal life, either through His call (in the rapture) or eternal life when this earthly life is completed, - which can also be sudden. (DRM 8/22/09)

v. 23    Snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear — hating even the clothing stained by the corrupted flesh.

    Corrupted people are people living in sin. These people are going to hell if no one cares enough to save them. God tells us that everyone who believes in His Son, can have eternal life. If we could snatch these people from the fire of their sins, we would be helping the cause for God. (DRM 12/7/86) Only God can do this, we are just the messenger. (DRM 1/10/04)

v. 24    Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,

    This is the first half of the final sentence of the letter from Jude.
    When we pray, we are to pray in Jesus' name. Jude was doing about the same thing, but longer. He was describing Who Jesus was/is before closing, and reminding us what Jesus can do (keep you from stumbling) and will do when He presents us to the Father on our arrival there.
    Jesus is to be praised and worshipped! (DRM 1/18/14)

v. 25    to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

    There is only one God. He has shown Himself through His Son, Jesus. He deserves all the honor and glory shown in this verse. No matter how much time I spend praying and reading His Word, it's not enough, as we will be together forever in Heaven, and I need to know more about Him. (DRM 12/31/05)