260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 238 - JUDE – Danger & Snatching

Ever bite into a jalapeño or worse yet, a habanero? Those things are so small but carry a powerful punch! I think of the same when I come to this letter from Jude. Only 25 verses but wowsa – what a punch! This was written by Jesus’ brother, Jude, around AD 65 to warn his readers of false teaching. In many ways, this letter parallels with 2 Peter. The first 16 verses have to do with the danger of false teaching and the remaining 9 verses are a call to stand for God’s truth. One of the problems was that these false teachers had “slipped in”. In other words, they may have looked & acted much like real believers for a while. But in time, their hearts came out: “They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” You can't be a believer and continually living, day by day, a life of immorality. You also can’t be a believer, with the Holy Spirit of God living in you, and truly deny Christ! Those who do so will - like unbelievers in the desert & fallen angels & those in Sodom & Gomorrah - be punished (7). We are to therefore “build our faith….pray….keep in God’s love…be merciful…and snatch others from the fire and save them.” As false teaching comes we are to, with gentleness and respect, stand against it. Why? Because it builds our faith. Because it draws us closer to God. And because it keeps our friends (who believe) from going to hell. Jalapeños and Habaneros won’t even compare to the burn your friends and mine will receive for eternity if they don’t believe & receive! Ohhh Lord, please give them faith to believe and give me continual opportunities to share the Love of Jesus with them! SO WHAT?! *Are you a believer? If so, are you involved in immorality? Maybe you’re sensually and/or sexually involved with your boyfriend or girlfriend. Maybe you’ve been watching stuff on the internet you shouldn’t and you think no one knows. God knows - and He wants you to stop. These cravings can become addictions that lead into a downward spiral of sin. Get someone today - either your parents, a student pastor or a spiritual mentor – and ask them to hold you accountable. It will be the best thing for both you and for your testimony for Jesus! *When was the last time you begged God to save a friend or family member? I mean you cried out for them to God? And then, because you care for them, you shared Jesus with them? Shouldn’t this be one of our utmost concerns? Come on, let’s do it this week! Take the 48 hour challenge with me to share Jesus with someone in the next 2 days – I DOUBLE-DOG DARE US!!!