Build Right!

Build Right!

But you, dear friends: build each other up on the foundation of your most holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep each other in the love of God, wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will give you eternal life. Jude 1:20‭-‬21 CEB

Indeed, these are the last days. Everything that was spoken by the prophets and men of old are being fulfilled right before our eyes. Wickedness, godlessness, impurity and impunity have become the norm of the day, not the abomination they should be. Men who have sinned love the benefits that fallen state brings them, and the sense of non-accountability that it brings. In fact, Jude, writing here, clearly states that indeed, scoffers will emerge, people who will live according to their ungodly desires. These people will try and break up the fellowship of the church, preaching heresies and promoting discord. That will be the norm in the end times.

However, a word of caution is dropped in today's extract: I owe it to God, to myself and my eternal destiny not to be swayed by falsehood and error. The only way I can do that is to know, hold on to, follow and live by  faith, sealed in the knowledge of God and his Son Jesus. As I grow, I must help the other person. As I learn more about God, I must share that knowledge with other people. As I strive to make heaven, I must show other people the right way by living right myself. Through faith in the finished work of Christ, the way to eternal life has been opened, and as many as would walk in receive life.

The importance of prayer can never be over emphasized. The love of God for us can never be downplayed; and the mercy of God is the reason why we can stand, serve and await the manifestation of God's promise of eternal life. All three are important in my walk of faith: the foundation is faith in Christ, not membership of a church or active service as a pastor or deacon or anything else. Once faith is the foundation, then I can have sincere love for other people. As I serve in love, I can overlook offences because I keep the love of God right before me. As I serve, I am conscious that it is by mercy that I am where I am, and the end of all things is eternal life.

This is very key: I keep before me the end, so that all I do now will guarantee that good end. I learn to avoid anything that can take that good end from me, so that I am not found to have laboured in vain. His time of favour is here.