Jude 20 – But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith…
Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.
Heavenly Father, it’s too easy to presume on friendship; kind of like putting on a comfortable pair of jeans or nestling into one’s favorite recliner. Friendship-ease is one thing, friendship-presumption another, engaging with one another is better by far.
As this Scripture demonstrates, the older we get, the more we’ll need our friendships to be shaped by the gospel—building each other up in the faith, praying with the Spirit’s passion, living with a view to Jesus’ return, and especially, staying alive to your astonishing love for us in Jesus.
22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.
Invariably, each of us will go through various seasons. Some of us will face faith challenges—moving from our first-love passion for Jesus, through difficult providences, heart-deflating suffering, or unexpected transitions.
Some will succumb to a life of busyness and “muchness,” others to a season of foolish choices and sin’s pleasure. Show us how to love each other well, no matter the scenario or season.
24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
This is our hope, peace, and joy. You are able to keep us from falling away and bring us Home safely, Father. We’re already fully accepted and perfectly blameless in Jesus—who is our righteousness and holiness. And you’ve given us everything in Christ we’ll need for the rest of our journey. All glory to you, blessed and loving Father. Make us good friends—gospel friends. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ holy and beautiful name.
