Jude 1:17-23

¹⁷ “But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁸ that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” ¹⁹ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. ²⁰ But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. ²² And have mercy on some, who are doubting; ²³ save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.”

Verse 17: Jude encourages his readers to remember the teachings of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the New Covenant, we have the privilege of having the complete revelation of God’s gospel through the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20). In Christ we have all the blessings of the finished work of Christ.

Verse 18: The apostles warned that in the last times, there would be scoffers who would follow their own ungodly desires. We are called to discern and test every teaching against the truth of God’s gospel. We rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and protect us from deception.

Verse 19: Jude highlights that these scoffers are divisive and driven by their natural instincts, lacking the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In the New Covenant, we understand that as believers, we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). We are united in Christ and called to walk in unity and love, not allowing divisive teachings or worldly desires to separate us.

Verse 20: Jude encourages his readers to build themselves up in their most holy faith and to pray in the Holy Spirit. In the New Covenant, we have the privilege of direct access to God through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18). We are called enjoy God’s grace and trust his inner guidance as he matures us.

Verse 21: Jude reminds his readers to keep themselves in God’s love as they wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, which brings eternal life. In the New Covenant, we understand that our salvation and eternal life are secure in Christ (John 10:28). We rest in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, knowing that His mercy has brought us into a relationship with God. We perpetually abide in His love, and can consciously live from it daily.

Verse 22-23: Jude instructs his readers to show mercy to those who doubt, to save others by rescuing them from destructive paths, and to show mercy to others with a sense of reverence and caution. In the New Covenant, we are called to extend grace and mercy to those who are struggling in their faith or caught in deception.