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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up 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 unto eternal life. And on some have compassion [mercy], making a distinction [discriminating; judging thoroughly]; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” (Jude 1.20-23).
As a reader, you are certainly encouraged to read the larger context of the passage just cited, but our emphasis will be on distinction that Christians are to make in how they treat others with whom they have spiritual differences. On some, compassion is to rule, while others are not to be extended such a warm and friendly hand. The latter class, those that are not spoken of as receiving compassion, are hardened in their ways, having had opportunity to know and to do better. Their plight is of their own making and there are no mitigating circumstances. Like Adam, they went into their lost condition with their eyes wide open; they wilfully sinned and can only be reached through the reality of future punishment!
The former class, those that are to be recipients of mercy and compassion, are to be distinguished from the hardened sinner; they are to be treated in an entirely different way. This distinction is consistent with the way God shows mercy to those who have the right heart, but whose actions are not fully in keeping with what He desires. This totally corresponds with the fact that God “…Desire[s] mercy and not sacrifice.” (Matthew 9:13). His mercy is not necessarily strained by those who act out of good conscience, even though they act outside His will. Saul of Tarsus was one of those individuals when He persecuted the Church. Looking back after he became a Christian, he wrote, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” (1 Timothy 1.12-13).
The fact that we have the ability to judge overt actions that betray a heart that is hardened is evident from the fact that Jesus charged His followers in the following manner: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” (Matthew 7.6). He certainly was not talking about literal dogs or pigs; He was speaking of people who are obviously hardened toward the truth. This commandment also implies that not everyone is that way; some possess pliable and good hearts which can be reached with the truth. This is in spite of the fact that they, at the time they come in contact with the Gospel, are yet unconverted. According to Jesus, this class of people should be treated in a merciful manner, even as we might want to be treated should the tables be turned (see Matthew 7.12 and the Golden Rule).
Although this may not be the only cause, I fully believe that many of us have acted in unmerciful ways toward others because we have not truly known the awesome love of Christ nor felt the relief that comes when it sinks deep into a sin-stained soul. The message of the Gospel has a negative side, but the overwhelming drawing power of the Gospel is the story of love that was played out on the Cross. Men and women are won to God through His love and the undeserved mercy which He willingly extends to all humanity! To be like Him is to have that same spirit of love and mercy toward all. (continued)
Questions:
1. What was the difference in the two classes of people that Jude spoke of in verses 22 & 23?
2. What was to be different about the reaction of Christians to these two classes? What is implied about our ability to discern the difference at least some of the time?
3. Do you agree that the drawing power of the Gospel is the love of God? If not, what is it? Is this the way we have typically presented ourselves and the truth to a lost and dying world?
4. Continue to compile a list of explicit biblical commands which govern Christian acts of worship.
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