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Cartoon characters like Pinocchio or Fred Flintstone are sometimes pictured with an imaginary friend hovering over their shoulder. In many episodes, Jiminy Cricket or the Great Gazoo would scold Pinocchio or Fred, warning them against making the wrong choice, or urging them to take a particular action.
Sometimes we might wish that we had a little conscience sitting on our shoulder, reminding us to stay on our diet or be honest on our taxes or hold our tongue. We don’t have Jiminy Cricket, but we have something even better—we have the Holy Spirit living within us and we have the Word of God to instruct us. Today’s passage is from the book of Jude, which is a single chapter filled with both caution and encouragement to those living in the faith at a time when others have abandoned it. Jude cautions that believers should “remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold” (v. 17).
As in Jude’s day, “scoffers” and others will live out their “ungodly desires” (v. 18). We are not to follow these types of people. The way to combat these negative, blasphemous voices is to “build yourselves up” (v. 20). Note that this is not a by-your-bootstraps spirituality. This is not about personal positive mantras or giving ourselves an ego boost. We are to become deeply rooted in our “holy faith” (v. 20). The more the scoffers increase around us, the more earnestly we must pursue the truth of God’s Word.
Verse 22 tells us practical ways to do this. We are to be “merciful” and to “snatch others from the fire”—to be rescuers of the perishing. Finally, Jude ends with a beautiful doxology that is a wonderful way to culminate this study. Only God is able to “keep us from falling.” Through God’s power, we will be presented before Him “without fault and with great joy” (v. 24). What an amazing promise. By persevering in this present time of conflict, we will be made perfect in the end!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We began this study looking at our identity as it is found in Christ. We have found that our focus needs to be not on ourselves but upon Christ. Make a list today of the attributes of Christ that you would most like to see reflected in your own life. At the top of the list write these words: “MORE HIM; LESS ME.” Pray today that God will help to change your focus, and that day by day you would begin to look more like your Savior.
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