Jude 17–25
But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (ESV)
Introduction:
Persevering in a World of Pressure
• If Jude’s first half was defensive, (“contend for the faith”), the second half is constructive- “persevere in mercy and remain in God’s love.”
• Those who contend for the faith must also persevere in grace, remain in God’s love, show mercy to the wavering, and rest confidently in the preserving power of God.
1. Remember the Apostolic Word (vv. 17–19)
1.1 A Call to Remember
• Not a call to nostalgia but to anchored faithfulness.
• The Christian life is not oriented by novelty but by remembrance- of God’s Word, God’s Gospel, God’s promises.
• “I intend always to remind you … that you may be able at any time to recall these things.” (2 Peter 1:12–15)
• “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead …” (2 Timothy 2:8, ESV)
Forgetfulness is one of the great enemies of holiness. Satan does not always need to persuade us; He only needs to make us forget.
• “Ignorance is the great devourer of souls, and forgetfulness is the fuel by which ignorance is kept alive.” – Richard Baxter
• Jude says: Remember the apostolic Word. Do not be tossed about by every cultural wind. Do not let moral fog make you lose sight of the path.
1.2 Apostolic Warnings were already given
• The apostles did not promise a golden age before Christ’s return. They promised opposition, deception, and moral rebellion. This means the presence of false teachers is not an emergency- it is an expectation.
• “False christs and false prophets will arise … to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” (Mark 13:22)
• “From among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things.” (Acts 20:30)
• “There will be false teachers among you… secretly bringing in destructive heresies.” (2 Peter 2:1)
• Jude is saying: “Don’t panic. You are seeing exactly what Scripture said would happen.”
• “When sin grows bold and error prevails, it is not a sign that God has lost control, but that God is fulfilling His Word.” – Thomas Manton
1.3 The Cause of Division
Three characteristics mark false teachers:
• They divide. True doctrine unifies; false doctrine fractures.
• They are worldly. They are governed not by Scripture but by impulses, instincts, and appetites.
• They are devoid of the Spirit. They may be gifted, winsome, influential, but spiritually dead.
• Remember the Word – so you don’t treat wolves like shepherds or shepherds like wolves.
Application:
• Modern evangelicalism is filled with leaders who preach pleasure instead of repentance, self-esteem instead of self-denial, affirmation instead of transformation.
• Jude says the test of a teacher is not charm but Scripture, not charisma but character, not cleverness but Christ-likeness.
• “Where the Word does not rule, the Spirit does not dwell.” – John Owen
2. Build yourselves up in the Faith (vv. 20–21)
2.1 Build on the Foundation of the Faith (v. 20a)
• The “most holy faith” refers to the apostolic Gospel- the same “faith once for all delivered” (v. 3). Jude calls it “holy” because it comes from a holy God and produces holy people.
• “By this time you ought to be teachers … but you need milk.” (Hebrews 5:12, ESV)
• Spiritual maturity requires spiritual feeding.
• “Grace does not grow by chance. It grows by diligent, daily watering with the Word.” – John Flavel
• To build up your faith you must feed on Scripture, learn doctrine, confess truth, fight unbelief, and fortify your convictions.
• Jude is saying: False teaching cannot thrive in a well-built soul.
2.2 Pray in the Holy Spirit (v. 20b)
• To persevere you need more than right doctrine- you need supernatural dependence.
• Praying in the Spirit is not emotional intensity or mystical ecstasy—it is prayer aligned with God’s will through God’s power.
• “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” (Ephesians 6:18)
• “Prayer is the soul climbing into the lap of God. But it is the Spirit who lifts the soul there.” – William Gurnall
• A prayer-less Christian is a powerless Christian.
• A prayer-less church is a defeated church.
• But a praying Christian is kept in God’s love.
2.3 Keep Yourselves in the Love of God (v. 21)
This is the central command of Jude’s exhortation. Everything else revolves around it. But what does it mean?
• Not “keep God loving you”- His love is not earned.
• Not “keep yourself saved by your efforts”- salvation is by grace alone.
• It means: remain within the sphere of God’s covenant love by using the means of grace He provides.
• “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love.” (John 15:10)
• “Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You.” (Psalm 63:3)
• “Though nothing can separate us from God’s love, yet much may hinder our sense of it.” – Thomas Brooks
• Jude invites us to stay close to the warmth of God’s love instead of drifting into the cold shadows of spiritual neglect.
2.4 Wait for the Mercy of Jesus Christ (v. 21b)
• Christians are a ‘waiting people’.
• Waiting is not passivity- it is expectation.
• We wait for mercy, not merit.
• “We wait for the blessed hope- the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior.” (Titus 2:13)
• “Hope fills the Christian with a holy impatience until Christ is all in all.” – Stephen Charnock
• Jude teaches that perseverance is not grim duty but joyful expectation, because Jesus is coming with mercy.
3. Show Mercy to the Straying (vv. 22–23)
3.1 Mercy Toward the Doubting (v. 22)
Jude distinguishes between false teachers and fragile believers. Not all who waver are rebels; some are wounded. Some are confused by cultural pressures or intellectual challenges.
• The church must not crush the bruised reed
• “Help the weak.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
• “A bruised reed He will not break.” (Matthew 12:20)
• “There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.” – Richard Sibbes
• We must show mercy to the doubting- not with impatience but tenderness.
3.2 Rescue the Perishing (v. 23a)
Some are closer to destruction. Their sin is not merely confusion- it is entanglement. Jude urges urgent, courageous rescue.
• A believer is “a brand plucked from the fire.” (Zechariah 3:2)
• “Whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death.” (James 5:20)
• “Oh that you would strive to pluck poor souls out of the fire, as brands for the Lord’s use.” – Joseph Alleine
• Evangelism is not a hobby- it is rescue work.
• Pastoral care is not a program- it is spiritual firefighting.
• The stakes are eternal.
3.3 Cautious Mercy to the Compromised (v. 23b)
• Justice without mercy leads to cruelty.
• Mercy without justice ends in compromise
• Justice and mercy must meet.
• There are some whose corruption is contagious.
• Some sins entangle those who try to help.
• “Restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)
• “He that would help another must take heed lest he himself fall into the pit.” – Thomas Watson
• The church must engage in rescue work without romanticizing sin or underestimating its power.
4. Rest in the God Who Keeps You (vv. 24–25)
4.1 God’s Keeping Power (v. 24a)
This is the heart of Christian perseverance: God keeps you.
• “The LORD is your keeper.” (Psalm 121:5)
• “No one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28)
• “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.” (Philippians 1:6)
• “If our perseverance depended on us, we would all perish. But it depends on Him who is able.” – John Owen
• Christians stumble, but God keeps them from falling away.
4.2 God’s Final Purpose (v. 24b)
Blameless— Not mostly improved nor partially sanctified. Blameless!
This is the same language used of sacrificial animals- spotless, pure, acceptable.
• “He has now reconciled you … to present you holy and blameless.” (Colossians 1:22)
• “Christ loved the Church… that He might present the Church to Himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle.” (Ephesians 5:25–27)
• “Our sins may wound us, but they cannot wound God’s love. He will present us at last without blemish.” – Thomas Brooks
And note the phrase “with great joy.”
• Not reluctantly.
• Not with mild approval.
• The God who saves you will joyfully welcome you.
4.3 God’s Exclusive Glory (v. 25)
• Jude ends with worship.
• Doctrine leads to doxology.
• Truth leads to praise.
• God alone saves.
• God alone rules.
• God alone keeps.
“Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.” – Jonathan Edwards
Jude ends his letter with the certainty that a kept people will one day stand before a keeping God.
Applications: Persevering Today
1. Anchor Yourself in Apostolic Truth
Build daily habits of Scripture reading, doctrinal learning, and moral clarity.
2. Pray with Spirit-Dependent Humility
Let prayer become the engine of your perseverance, not the spare tire.
3. Extend Compassionate, Discerning Mercy
The church must be a hospital for the wounded, a lighthouse for the drifting, and a firewall against falsehood.
4. Rest in God’s Keeping, Not Your Strength
• Your perseverance is real- but it is rooted in divine preservation.
• “It is not your hold of Christ that saves you, but His hold of you.” – Thomas Watson
Conclusion: Kept for the King, Kept by the King
Jude’s letter begins and ends with the same promise: You are kept.
• Kept by the Father’s electing love.
• Kept by the Son’s redeeming mercy.
• Kept by the Spirit’s indwelling power.
• Kept for the day of glory and joy.
So, beloved:
• Remember the Word.
• Build yourselves up.
• Pray in the Spirit.
• Keep yourselves in God’s love.
• Show mercy to the doubting.
• Rescue the perishing.
• Hate the sin that destroys.
• And above all- Rest in the God who keeps you now and forever.