Spirit Filled
Not having the Spirit…Jude 1:19
Jude has some timely advice. These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. Verses 16 thru 19. This is the Spirit has given us the gift of discernment.
We who have been in the church for even a short time have seen these sensual (worldly) people. They claim to be Christians, but do not bear the fruit of righteousness. They appear to have no desire to walk in the Spirit enjoying their walk in their flesh. They cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
Jude offers a solution: praying in the Holy Spirit, verse 20. We who have the Spirit pray with the Spirit for their souls and for our family. And we keep ourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life, verse 21. Then verse 22: And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Anticipating our confusion on this statement Jude adds verses 24 and 25: Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion, and power, both now and forever. Amen.
Amen and Amen. Jesus who saved us shall keep us and present us God our Savior with exceeding joy! The work of the Holy Spirit shall be completed, perfected, and presented to God our Father. With our hand in the hand of God we reach in and pull from the fire those who are defiled. We can do this because we are kept from stumbling by God Himself. We can do this even though we see their actions are contrary to everything we hold precious. We do this because we love God more than we hate the sins of the sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
We have the Spirit!
