This provides valuable guidance to believers on how to nurture and strengthen their faith in challenging times. These verses are attributed to Jude, the brother of James and a half-brother of Jesus. It addresses the urgent need for believers to contend earnestly for the faith in the face of false teachers and apostasy within the Christian community. Jude 20-21 is situated within this context, offering practical advice to believers facing these challenges.
- Key Points:
Building Up Your Faith: Verse 20 begins with the exhortation to "keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith." This underscores the importance of continuous spiritual growth and development. Believers are encouraged to actively strengthen their faith through study, prayer, and obedience to God's Word.
Praying in the Holy Spirit: The same verse advises believers to "pray in the Holy Spirit." This emphasizes the role of prayer as a means of deepening one's relationship with God. Praying in the Holy Spirit involves aligning one's prayers with the will of God and relying on the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Keeping Yourselves in God's Love: Verse 21 instructs believers to "keep yourselves in God's love." This involves remaining in a state of grace, obedience, and communion with God. It implies an active choice to stay within the sphere of God's love by living in accordance with His commands.
Looking for the Mercy of Our Lord Jesus Christ: The same verse encourages believers to maintain their hope in the mercy of Jesus Christ. This hope is central to the Christian faith, as it points to the promise of eternal life and salvation through Christ's sacrifice.
- Significance:
Active Faith: These verses emphasize the active nature of faith. Believers are called to continually build up and strengthen their faith through prayer, study, and obedience.
Dependence on the Holy Spirit: The mention of praying in the Holy Spirit underscores the importance of relying on the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life and prayer life.
Maintaining God's Love: Keeping oneself in God's love involves living a life characterized by love, obedience, and a close relationship with God. It is a call to remain in God's grace.
Hope in Christ: The reference to looking for the mercy of Jesus Christ reminds believers of the foundational hope of Christianity—the promise of eternal life through Christ's redemptive work.
- Application:
Continuous Spiritual Growth: Believers are encouraged to actively invest in their spiritual growth through regular Bible study, prayer, and obedience to God's commands.
Prayer in the Holy Spirit: This verse underscores the importance of praying in alignment with God's will and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in one's prayer life.
Living in God's Love: Believers should strive to live in a manner that reflects God's love in their interactions with others and in their obedience to His Word.
Hope and Assurance: These verses remind Christians of their ultimate hope in Christ's mercy and eternal life, providing assurance in times of trials and challenges.
Cross-References:
Ephesians 6:18: "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." This verse from Ephesians aligns with the idea of praying in the Spirit and emphasizes the importance of prayer in the Christian life.
John 15:9-10: "As the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love." This passage from the Gospel of John echoes the idea of remaining in God's love through obedience.
1 Corinthians 16:13: "Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!" This verse encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, which aligns with the theme of contending for the faith found in Jude.
Jude 20-21 provides valuable guidance to believers on nurturing and strengthening their faith through continuous spiritual growth, prayer in the Holy Spirit, living in God's love, and maintaining their hope in Christ's mercy. These verses underscore the active nature of faith and the importance of maintaining a close relationship with God in the midst of challenges.
Jude 20-21. You, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.