Fighting for Others
This morning the Larimer Energy Action Project that I am helping lead, conducted an orientation and site tour courtesy of Great Western Oil and Gas. Great Western were gracious hosts and took time to explain the procedures and processes involved in oil and natural gas development. We then toured a drilling site to see operations firsthand.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Show mercy to some people who have doubts. Take others out of the fire, and save them. Show mercy mixed with fear to others, hating even their clothes which are dirty from sin.” Jude 22,23 NCV
Jude writes to believers and tells them to, “fight hard for the faith.” The reason for this is not the attacks from the godless and unbelieving; it is from those claiming faith that are bringing confusion. Jude was going to write about the “salvation we all share” but he realized that all did not share in the salvation that comes from Christ.
Those who were “warring” against the faith were those who “secretly entered your group.” Jude goes on and condemns these people in the following words, “They are against God and have changed the grace of our God into a reason for sexual sin. They also refuse to accept Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.” (Jude 4 NCV) It is difficult to view those who act as if they are “for” God to actually be “against” God by the positions they hold and the actions of their life.
In this context, Jude provides encouragement on how to remain strong in “personal” faith; but he also instructs that those who are faithful to Christ have a responsibility to others.
When confusion comes within the ranks of believers, Jude says it is important to show these people mercy. For a time or season, they may be “lead astray” by charismatic personalities and convincing arguments. When they understand the error of their ways, it is important for them to be treated with mercy. That is after all how the Lord responds to us.
Others may find their spiritual lives in danger. Their conduct is placing them at risk of God’s judgment. Jude says those who are fighting for the faith, need to take actions and Take others out of the fire, and save them. When someone, cannot in their own volition take actions that are in their best interests, then someone needs to help them make the right decision.
The third group Jude identifies seems to be those responsible for the false teaching and being the “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” Jude says, they are to be give mercy, but to do so with caution. In other words, “don’t allow Christian love and compassion, to lead to compromise.”
I recall on leader giving the perspective of reconciliation and pointing out that there is a difference between forgiveness and showing mercy and trust. It seem this is the position of Jude when he says, “Show mercy mixed with fear….hating even their clothes which are dirty from sin.” It can sound trite or “Pollyannish” but we are called to value the individual, without showing approval for their sinful actions.
It is interesting the the “oath of office” for elected official in the U.S. includes the words, “defending….the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic.” We don’t like to think of enemies of our nation being “among us” and the same is true for the family of believers. When we fight for the faith, it means we are on guard against the forces that wage war against our faith, trust and obedience to God both from outside and inside the Church.