This is the third blog in my series, The Jude Appeal; written with the hope that we will be a renewed generation of Christians who turn their hearts to pen stories with God!

“But you, dear friends…”

The first words of Jude’s third personal appeal to Christians is such an endearing one. Jude loved the Christians he wrote to. He wanted the best for them. He wanted God’s will to be done in such a way that his fellow Christians would receive all of the rewards of faith!

And that is my heart in these words, as well.

We’ve just looked back and seen those who did not believe, who abandoned the Lord in pride, who gave themselves to sin – and their outcome. Sin destroyed. Jude gave a detailed description of people who have slipped in among Christians to feed only themselves, dishonor the Lord, and lead many astray.

Then Jude writes, “But.” He’s pivoting the focus and contrasting what was just said.

But, you – Christ’s one, fellow sibling in Him, redeemed by grace, beloved of the Father, dear friend.

“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” (Jude, vs. 20-21)

We are different because of Christ and we live in a way that contrasts the unsaved around us.

Build Yourselves up in Your Most Holy Faith

Notice, first, we are building. Growing. Intentionally taking steps toward becoming a “spiritual house” for God (1 Peter 2:4-5). We have an active part in the building process, but ultimately, as it says elsewhere in Scripture, God will complete the good work He began in us (Philippians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

Also, our faith is most holy. Set apart. Distinct. Founded in the Holy One. It will not be built by common measures or things of this world. We must grow in faith by the unique gifts God’s given for that purpose. His Word, His Spirit, and His people.

Pray in the Holy Spirit

I love the privilege of praying in the Holy Spirit. It is the concept of humbly asking the Spirit to help us frame our prayers, specifically in accordance with the will of God! (Romans 8:26-27)

Keep Yourselves in God’s Love

The word for keep means to be standing firm. Stand firm in God’s love. His love is the catalyst of our relationship with Him. Remember, “God so loved the world” (John 3:16) and “He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). And His love is the root of all we are able to do in our walk with Him.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the past nor the present, nor any power, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

As You Wait

“Wait” is a Greek word that emphasizes expecting. We wait in hope of the promised fulfillment of eternal life with Jesus Christ our Lord.

How does this apply to writing?

It applies to you, the Christian who writes. Seek relationship with God first. You yourself be building, praying, keeping, and waiting for Christ’s return. Because this is good and prepares you to rightly act in every area of life as children of God. 

It prepares you to bring to bear vss. 22-23 in your stories.

You, dear friends…