We live in the last days. The Bible makes it clear that the last days began when Jesus arrived. It's probably true that we are living in the latter portion of the last days before our Lord Jesus returns. If, in fact, we are living in the age symbolized by the apostate church of Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-19), how are we then to react to the increasing apostasy around us? What does a Christian do in the midst of the apostasy that precedes the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ?

The answers to those questions are found in Jude 17-25. Jude has discussed the history and definition of apostasy, and has given examples of it. He has also warned Christians to be ready for it and fight against it, and has warned apostates of the consequences of their departure from the faith. Now in the final climactic passage, Jude provides four key principles that Christians have been following ever since: remember, remain, reach out, and rest. They offer security to the believer in the midst of the apostasy of the last days. As you examine those principles, you will understand how to enjoy God's blessings even if everything seems to be falling apart.

I. REMEMBER (vv. 17-19)

A. The Command (v. 17a)

"But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ"

Jude has been reminding us throughout his epistle of Old Testament scriptures that deal with apostasy: He talked about Cain, Balaam, and Korah (v. 11), the children of Israel in the wilderness (v. 5), the angels that left their habitation (v. 6), and Sodom and Gomorrah (v. 7). Having mentioned those past incidents of apostasy in the Old Testament, Jude looks to the more recent past and encourages his readers to remember the words that were spoken by the Apostles. The New Testament truth that came through the Apostles and their close associates is in direct contrast to the pompous rhetoric and the vain words of the apostate false teachers that Jude alludes to in verse 16. In other words, if you're going to stand firm in the day of apostasy, you're going to have to avoid the lies of the apostates and remember the words of the Apostles. Forgetting the teaching of the Word of God is a major cause of spiritual deterioration. In the past, some of us have learned biblical principles of living that we have long since forgotten.

1. 2 PETER 1:15--Understanding that forgetfulness is a problem, Peter wrote: "...I will endeavor that ye may be able, after my decease, to have these things always in remembrance" (cf. v. 12). The call to remember was a ringing theme with Peter as well as with Jude.

2. 1 TIMOTHY 4:1-6--Paul felt the same way: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that, in the latter times [the end of the church age], some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (vv. 1-2). In other words, apostates will speak lies and their conscience won't bother them, because it will be as insensitive as scar tissue. Those apostates will be "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by them who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused, if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ..." (vv. 3-6). A good minister warns his people about apostasy.

So Jude is in agreement with Peter and Paul when he calls us to remember the words of the Apostles, who wrote the Word of God. In effect, he recognizes the verbal inspiration and authority of Scripture and acknowledges that it is the Christian's only security. In fact, his call to remembrance is actually a command, because the Greek verb for "remember" is in the imperative mood. That is the first imperative that Jude uses in his epistle now that he has laid out the foundational information about apostasy. He's saying whatever apostates may do and say, don't be deceived--hold on to the revelation of God that has been authored by the Apostles. That is the only security that you have against false doctrine. You say, "If I fall into false doctrine, will I fall from my salvation?" No, but Peter says you'll fall from your steadfastness (2 Pet. 3:17). You won't lose your salvation, but you will lose your solidarity, "carried about with every wind of doctrine..." (Eph. 4:14). Such a state will be characterized by a loss of victory and joy in the Christian experience.

B. The Content (vv. 17b-19)

1. ITS SOURCE (v. 17b)

"...remember ye the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ"

The Apostles informed early Christendom about apostasy before it ever occurred. The apostasy that crept into the early church was a fulfillment of their prophecies. They predicted it would come in such verses as...

a. Acts 20:29-30--Paul said to the Ephesian elders, "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." Paul predicted that when he left Ephesus, doctrinal perversion would enter the church he had worked so hard to establish. The sad reality of apostasy eventually had a destructive effect on the church in that city.

b. 1 Timothy 4:1--"...in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons."

c. 1 Timothy 6:20-21--"O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of knowledge falsely so called, which some, professing, have erred concerning the faith...."

d. 2 Timothy 3:1, 5, 7-8--"This know, also, that in the last days perilous times shall come....[There will be those] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power of it; from such turn away....[They are] "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres [Egyptian magicians] withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith."

e. 2 Timothy 4:3--"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but, after their own lusts, shall they heap to themselves teachers...."

f. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15--"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works."

g. Colossians 2:4-5--"And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ."

h. 1 John 2:18-19--"Little children, it is the last time; and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists, by which we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."

i. 2 John 7--"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist."

Jude says, "You have heard Paul, Peter, and John had to say. They all said that apostasy is coming. Remember that, and don't be beguiled by it when it comes." If the Word of God warns about something, then when it happens, you ought to be sensible enough to reject it. Jude gives us a sample of apostolic scripture on apostasy in verses 18-19.

2. ITS SPECIFICS (vv. 18-19)

a. Scoffers (v. 18)

"...there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts."

1) 2 Peter 3:3--Jude's statement is almost a direct quote of the Apostle Peter's condemnation of apostates: "[Know] this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts." The word translated "scoffers" in 2 Peter and the word translated "mockers" in Jude are the same Greek word. It is used only in those two places. Jude is quoting Peter, saying, "For example, just think of what Peter said, that there would come scoffers." Apostate false teachers are scoffers who deceive others regarding the truth of God's Word and its application to spiritual issues.

Peter goes on to say in verse 5 that scoffers are "willingly...ignorant." Apostates characteristically know the Word of God and willfully reject it. They have read and understood it, yet they deliberately reject it, holding it in mockery. They deceive others by posing as truly godly and authoritative teachers while they pervert the truth of God.

2) 2 Peter 2:19--"While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the slaves of corruption...." False teachers walk in their own lusts and are enslaved by their own evil desires. Having rejected the truth of God's law, there is no way for them to control their lusts. Apostates not only have wrong theology, they invariably live in a state of self- corruption.

b. Separatists (v. 19a)

"These are they who separate themselves..."

Apostates not only mock the truth, seeking to be rich, famous, and sexually fulfilled; they also "separate themselves." That term is found only once in Scripture. It refers to people who think that they are superior. Like the Pharisees, they wanted to elevate themselves as the spiritually elite. They probably formed a clique at the love feast whose only desire was to feed themselves (v. 12). They evidently despised the leaders of the church, according to verse 8, which says that apostates "despise dominion." They arrogantly associated with the rich and the educated, believing themselves to be the spiritual and intellectual upper crust of society. They were like the Pharisees (a name which may mean "separated"), so Jude deals with them like Jesus dealt with the Pharisees. Jesus told them they were separated in a different way than they had assumed--from God.

I've experienced the ridicule of theological liberals. Some have said to me such things as, "Are you one of those stupid people who believes the Bible? You don't really have the education to understand the whole picture of reality." People like that claim to be the spiritual elite. They scoff at God's law and condemn true Christians as those who are intellectually naive.

c. Sensualists (v. 19a)

"These are...sensual..."

The Greek word for sensual is psuchikoi, which means "soul." It refers to physical life. Apostate false teachers consider themselves to have risen above the physical realm into the spiritual (pneumatikoi) realm. Jude is saying, "They may think they're spiritual, but I've got news for them--they're purely physical."

The spiritual elite thought they had been elevated to the highest level of life. They assumed that everyone else merely possessed the physical life that was held in common with animals and plants life. So, they divided everybody into two classes: the psuchikoi and the pneumatikoi, thus creating a kind of pseudo- Christian Pharisaism. Commentator William Barclay has said that "the spiritual and intellectual aristocracy believed that they were exempt from all the ordinary laws which govern a man's conduct. Ordinary people, the common herd, might have to observe the moral laws and accepted standards, but they were above that. For them, sin did not exist..." (The Letters of John and Jude, [Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960], p. 238).

There are still people like that. Religious liberals believe that sin is only a prenatal predilection. According to them, it might as well be an idiosyncrasy of individuality as the result of poor secretion of the endocrine glands. Rather than admit to the reality of sin, they will deny sin, and thereby enslave themselves to their own lusts.

So Jude indicts apostate false teachers with their claim to be spiritual giants, as religious frauds who are unsaved and dominated by the flesh.

d. Secularists (v. 19c)

"...having not the Spirit."

If you don't have the Spirit, then according to Romans 8:9 you are not a Christian: "...Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." So, Jude says that false teachers are not even Christians, because they are not indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Rather than being on the highest spiritual plane, they are on the lowest level.

Jude says to his readers, "Remember, the Apostles told you that such people were coming. They said that they would mock the truth, denying the inspiration of Scripture. They would deny the deity Christ and His substitutional atoning death and subsequent resurrection. They pursue their own lusts, operating in the ministry for the purpose of self-aggrandizement. They separate themselves from the majority and create an elite group that condescendingly limits all others to the physical realm. The fact of the matter is, they are devoid of the Holy Spirit, and therefore without spiritual life.

Today, there are apostate false teachers who serve as the heads of denominations, church councils, religious conventions, and other "Christian" institutions. Many times they are pastors, teachers, writers, or theologians who twist religion into a justification of their own evil deeds. Those people are the advocates of religious liberalism. They are the continuation of what Jude and the Apostles warned us about two thousand years ago. So, remember that when you see apostasy among religious leaders today, recognize that the Bible said it would come. Let us therefore contend for the faith against it.

II. REMAIN (vv. 20-21)

A. Explained

Knowing that God is going to unleash His wrath in the last days, we must make sure that we remain in the place of blessing. Verses 20-21 say, "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves upon your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." There is one major phrase in that sentence that is set off with the main verb "keep." The other three phrases are modifiers of the phrase "keep yourselves in the love of God.". That phrase can be rendered, "Remain in the sphere of God's love." Imagine an area that you can stand on with a big circle drawn around it. When you remain in that circle, the blessing of God comes from heaven.

Now you might ask, "What does it mean to keep yourselves in the love of God? Does it mean you've got to do something to make God love you?" No. Jude is not saying, "Keep yourselves in God's universal love," because the Bible cites God's unconditional love for the world (Jn. 3:16). Therefore, you don't have to do a set number of spiritual calisthenics to make God love you. He loves everybody universally, because God loves all men whether they're saved or whether they're lost. Furthermore, Jude is not saying, "Keep yourselves in the special saving love," because you couldn't get saved by yourself and you can't stay saved by yourself. In fact, he said, "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God, the Father, and preserved [kept] in [by] Jesus Christ..." (v. 1). Who keeps you in the love of God? Christ does. He secures you. I believe that Jude is simply saying, "Stay in the location of God's love, where you can experience its blessings." The Greek construction puts that phrase in the concept of a sphere or location. Jude's words tell us to remain in the place where God's love can bless us.

B. Exemplified

1. BY SONSHIP

In the story of the prodigal son, the father represents God and the son represents a wayward child of God. Did the father love the son? Yes. Did he love the son less when the son was slopping hogs than he loved him when he came home? No. The only difference came not in the love of the father, but in the location of the son. When the son was in the father's house, he was in the sphere of blessing. When he left the father's house, he moved out of the sphere of blessing, and when he returned, he entered back into that sphere again. But the love of the father never changed. Similarly, as a Christian, you can abide in the place of blessing or you can bail out and get yourself in a mess. Remaining in the place of blessing is same thing as staying in the will of God.

God wants to continuously pour out His love, but He can't always do that. Just like children are disciplined when they disobey their fathers, so are Christians disciplined when they disobey their heavenly Father. In both cases, the fatherly love for his children has not changed; disobedience puts physical and spiritual children in a place where fatherly love cannot be enjoyed. By being unfaithful, we can remove ourselves out of the sphere of God's blessing. Stay in the place where the father can give you the ring, the fatted calf, the feast, the best robe, and can declare you his son with all the rights and privileges. Don't depart in disobedience--stay in God's will.

2. BY SUNLIGHT

You can be in the sunlight or you can sit behind a building and be in the shade. You can shiver in the shade, or you walk out into the sun. The sun hasn't changed; it's just your relationship to it that has changed. As a Christian, you can wallow around in the darkness of your sin and in the shade of your disobedience, or you can enter the sunlight of God's love. Only then you'll begin to experience the warmth and the light that comes when you're where He can bless you.

3. BY STORM

Remaining in God's love while apostasy is swirling around us is like being in the eye of a hurricane where perfect calm exists. If you were to jump out of the place of the Father's blessing, you would be smashed by the hurricane of apostasy. Just remain where you belong: in the center of God's love. It is vitally important that you stay there.

There are only two places that a Christian can be: either in the place of blessing, or in the place of chastening. Ezra 8:22 says, "...The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who forsake Him" (NASB). If you seek Him, you will be blessed; if you forsake Him, you will disciplined. That is why Jude exhorts us to stay in the place of blessing in the last days of apostasy.

Since verses 20-21 have a main verb with three modifying participles, we can conclude that it is necessary to do three things in order to keep experiencing the love of God:

1. BY BUILDING (v. 20a)

"But ye, beloved, [should be] building up yourselves upon your most holy faith..."

a. The Metaphors

The first way to keep yourself in the love of God is by building yourself up in the faith. The word "building" is used metaphorically to refer to building spiritual strength in the New Testament. The faith is the foundation on which you build. It is "the once-for- all-delivered-to-the-saints faith," according to a literal rendering of verse 3. The faith revealed in the pages of the Word of God is the foundation on which we build the superstructure.

Did you know you are to do two things with regard to the faith? You are to build yourself up in the faith and you are to contend for the faith. There is a great illustration of that in Nehemiah 4:17-18: "They who built on the wall, and they who bore burdens, burdened themselves; everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, everyone had his sword girded by his side and so builded...." In one hand was a trowel, and in the other hand a sword. That's a graphic illustration of how the Christian lives in a day of apostasy. With one hand he contends and with the other hand he builds himself up in the faith.

Christ laid the foundation: Ephesians 2:20 says that the Apostles and the prophets are the foundation. First Peter 2:6 says that Christ is the chief cornerstone. In verse 5, Peter says that Christians are "living stones" built up to be the temple of the living God. That metaphor is used throughout Scripture. It is also true that we can look at that metaphor in a personal sense. Not only are we stones in a building, but we have to build ourselves. As living stones, we need to grow. We need to build maturity on the foundation of the faith delivered to the saints. Building on the faith is like spiritual weightlifting--you are building your muscles so that you can stand firm.

b. The Means

You say, "How do you build yourself up?" Several scriptures tell us how:

1) Acts 20:32--Paul warned the Ephesian elders about coming apostasy, saying, "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up...." The Word of God is that which build us up--there is no substitute for it. The stronger you are, the more capable you will be of remaining in the place of blessing.

2) Ephesians 4:12-13--As a pastor, developing spiritual maturity is partly my task. I'm like a coach who motivates and instructs the players. I am responsible "For the perfecting of the saints" that they might grow up to "the stature of the fullness of Christ." I explain the strategies and teach the basics, but those who hear my teaching must go out and exercise. If an athlete did nothing but go to the strategy sessions every Saturday before the game, he'd never be a productive player. Once he has learned what he's supposed to do, he then must go out all week and prepare himself to face the opposing team on Saturday. There has to be an individual commitment to study and apply the Word of God if a Christian is ever going to be strong enough to remain in the sphere of God's blessing when Satan attacks. That is a tremendous responsibility.

3) 2 Timothy 3:16-17--Paul said to Timothy, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." The word "perfect" means "mature." The Word of God is able to make you strong and mature.

4) 1 Peter 2:2-3--"As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that ye may grow by it, if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." If it tasted good at first, then devour it and gain strength.

To remain in the sphere of blessing, you have grow stronger in the word of grace.

The second participle in verse 20 expresses Jude's command to remain in God's love...

2.BY PRAYING (v. 20)

"...praying in the Holy Spirit"

a. In Perspective

I'm so glad Jude added that because you can think you're so doctrinally strong that you don't need God. Don't ever lose your perspective. You might know many things and be theologically strong, but as soon as you depend on your own strength, you fall out of the circle of God's love. You must always depend on God.

1) Ephesians 6--Paul says, "Put on the whole armor of God" (v. 11) and then describes each piece in verses 14-17. And unless one felt that he would be invincible, Paul says that those preparations should be taken while "Praying always..." (v. 18). We need to be constantly praying because even in the moment of our greatest strength, we still need to depend on God.

2) 2 Corinthians 10--Paul said that "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal [earthly]..." (v. 4). Because we are fighting a spiritual war, praying is very important. Prayer is merely depending on God. It is pouring out a heart of love and saying, "God, I love You. Thank You for loving me and giving me Your strength when I call upon You."

b. In the Spirit

1) Defined

What does "praying in the Holy Spirit" mean? Some people incorrectly identify that as speaking in tongues, but that phrase isn't even remotely related to that particular spiritual gift. It is not saying that if you want to abide in the love of God, you should pray in tongues. Rather, that phrase means essentially the same thing as "praying in the name of the Lord Jesus." When a person does that, he is praying according to Christ's will. Similarly, when one prays in the Holy Spirit, he prays according to the Spirit's will. It simply means to line up your prayers with those of the Spirit.

2) Described

a) Ignorance

Romans 8 says, "Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity [weakness]; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought..." (v. 26). We often don't know what to pray for because we're not omniscient--we can't see the end from the beginning. We are limited by not knowing what tomorrow may bring. Furthermore, we ask God for many things that He knows would ruin us if He gave them to us. James says that we often pray for things to satisfy our lusts. Since we have trouble knowing how to pray, the Spirit has the responsibility of...

b) Intercession

Romans 8:26 continues to say that "the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Some people say, "This is the Holy Spirit speaking in tongues." No, this verse is not speaking of groanings that can be uttered; it is referring to groanings that cannot be uttered. Furthermore, the groanings are not ours; they are the Holy Spirit's as He prays in a divine language that has no sound. That intercession involves the members of the Trinity in communion.

Every moment of your existence as a believer, the Holy Spirit prays for you. You not only have an Advocate in heaven at the right hand of the Father, but also One within you--the Holy Spirit. He is the Comforter that Jesus said He would send in His place. Comforter is translated form the same Greek as "advocate" (1 Jn. 2:2), which is a designation of Christ. So, Jesus prays for you in heaven, and the Spirit prays for you from within. What confidence that provides! Since the Spirit's prayers will always be according to the will of God, there exists between the Father and the Spirit, a complete...

c) Identification

"And He [God the Father] that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Rom. 8:27). The Spirit always prays according to the will of God. Therefore, if I'm praying in the Spirit, I am automatically praying according to the will of God. There is evidence that I have matured to the place where I have yielded my life to the Holy Spirit, when my prayers are in line with His will. If that is the case in your life, then you will see things happen, because the Spirit's prayers always get answered.

Praying in the Spirit occurs when you pray consistent with His will. Prayer is an expression of loving fellowship: you express your heart to God as His Spirit translates your prayers. Your spiritual maturity is evident when, rather than praying selfishly or ignorantly, you say, "This I ask, Father, because I believe it is the will of the Spirit."

3. BY LOOKING (v. 21)

"...looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

The other thing necessary for remaining in the place of blessing is looking. Like the other two participles, this one is in the present tense, which implies that building, praying, looking ought to be a continuous pattern in the daily life of every Christian. The word "looking" (Gk. prosdechomai), means "to await with expectancy." To stay in the sphere of blessing, the Christian needs to be always looking for the return of Christ.

a. Titus 2:13--Paul used the same Greek word in writing to Titus: "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ."

Jude instructs his readers to be looking for the unveiling of Christ's eternal mercy, which will usher them into the fullness of eternal life. I think Jude is referring to eschatological mercy that will be poured out on believers in the age to come as we dwell with Jesus face to face. The psalmist called it the mercy that "endureth forever" (Ps. 138:8). As Christians, we are to eagerly anticipate Christ's return. Even though there will be judgment on apostasy and the world is going to end in flaming fire, I'm looking for Jesus, not judgment. As long as I keep my perspective on Him, I have nothing to fear.

b. Malachi 4:3--There was a faithful remnant in Israel that feared they would be swept away with the wicked when the Lord brought judgment upon their nation. But God reassured them, giving them a wonderful promise in spite of inevitable judgment: "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn like an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up like calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts" (4:1-3).

If you're a Christian, you have nothing to fear in the future. Just focus on the coming mercies of the Lord Jesus Christ that have been promised to you in the eternal life that He comes to bring.

Jude has told us to remain in the place of blessing by building up, praying, and looking. Notice that the object of building is our faith, the knowledge of Him that gives us confidence. Prayer is an expression of our love. Looking for the Lord Jesus Christ is an expression of our hope. Sound familiar? The three greatest realities of the Christian experience are faith, hope, and love (1 Cor. 13:13). If you want to remain in the place of blessing, concentrate on faith--build it through the Word; concentrate on love--express it through prayer; and concentrate on hope--look forward to the return Jesus Christ. That hope will purify the one who holds it (1 Jn. 3:3).

The Problems and Preference of the King James Version

The King James Version has some problems in its translation because people were using different words in the seventeenth century than they are today. Furthermore, the science of textual criticism along with more recent manuscript discoveries has enabled scholars to translate the original languages with greater clarity. The manuscripts that predate the ones that King James Version was based on generally have more credibility since they offer the purest translation. The New American Standard is good because it reflects the work of recent scholarship. However, I like the King James simply because of the lofty character of the words. Its style lends a dignity to Scripture that I feel heightens our awareness of the Bible as the Word of God.

III. REACH OUT (vv. 22-23)

In this section we find a simple injunction for evangelism. In the day of apostasy, we are not only supposed to build ourselves in a secure place within the sphere of God's love, but we are also to reach out to people who are in danger of being trapped in apostasy. Jude presents three types of people and an a method of approach to each of them.

It is important to remember that God still loves people even though they may have been victimized by apostasy. Although apostate false teachers have gone too far to be redeemed, according to Hebrews 6, there are plenty of people who have been influenced by them that God dearly loves and desires to know the truth. For that reason, we must must first consider our obligation to evangelize them. Our Lord said in Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." The Apostle Paul said, "Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men....[We] are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we beg you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." (2 Cor. 5:11, 20). One of the last commands our Lord made was, "...Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel..." (Mk. 16:15). The Word of God calls us to evangelize. The last words of Jude give that same exhortation regarding three groups of people who have heard the gospel. In Western society, that certainly includes most people.

The first group are those who need compassion and tenderness because sincere doubts trouble them. Their problem is not a violent reaction against Christianity; their problem is doubt. The second group includes those requiring a bold confrontation if they are to be snatched from an eternity in hell. They have gone past doubt and have committed themselves to a false system. The last group are those who must be dealt with very cautiously. They are so vile in their contamination by evil that the believer is in danger of being contaminated himself. How do we approach those kind of people? Let's first discuss our method of reaching out...

A. To the Doubting (v. 22)

"And have mercy on some, who are doubting" (NASB)

1. EXPLAINED

What should be our reaction to those who doubt? We are to have mercy. If anybody in this world should be merciful, it should be Christians, because God has had mercy on us. In verse 2, Jude says that God's mercy is multiplied to us. Then, in verse 21, he says, "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." That's the fullness of mercy that He'll pour out on us throughout eternity. We had received mercy when we were saved, we have been promised mercy through our life, and we look forward to the ultimate mercy when Jesus comes. Therefore, Jude says that with all the mercy that God has given and promised to us, we, in turn, should show the same kind of mercy to others.

You say, "What does mercy mean?" It basically means "to have compassion." Rather than being indifferent to those who have honest doubts, we should treat those people with love and compassion. Many people are not committed to Christ simply because of doubt. In that condition, they could fall into false doctrine and become apostates.

2. EXEMPLIFIED

For example, suppose a person is very open to the truth. Although someone has shared the gospel with him, he may still be looking into Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, or Roman Catholicism. If such a person is honestly seeking the truth, our attitude toward him should be a very aggressive kind of concern and compassion. A graphic illustration of an individual experiencing doubt is found in Matthew 14:

a. The Account

Peter and the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat, having left Jesus behind: "But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spoke unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water. And He said, Come" (vv. 24-29a). You probably remember what happened. Peter accepted Christ's invitation to come. But as he moved toward Christ on the water, he became filled with fear. For a moment he was focused on Christ. But then he looked around and thought, "What are you doing out here? This is ridiculous!" Peter had lived by the sea of Galilee all his life and had never walked on water yet. No wonder he figured that was a situation he shouldn't be in. "But when [Peter] saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?" (vv. 30-31).

b. The Application

Peter is an example of someone who hears the gospel and likes what he hears. A person initially focuses on Jesus Christ and moves toward Him. But when circumstances get in his way, he begins to think, "What kind of a commitment am I making? How did I get involved in this?" As he starts to drown in doubt, he wisely recognizes that only the Lord can save him.

3. EMPLOYED

We have a responsibility to people that are sinking in doubt. They may have stepped out toward Jesus Christ, but they've never made a full commitment of faith. Their doubts may be honest and those people need to be dealt with in a gentle and understanding way. When you find somebody who has doubts, yet desires to know the truth, you can approach them with your own testimony, telling them what Jesus Christ has done in your life. If you once had doubts that Jesus resolved, maybe you can share words like these with him: "There was a time when I didn't know the truth either, but I gave my life to Jesus Christ and now my doubts are gone. I know He can do what He says. I know He is the Savior, the Christ, and the Son of God. I know that His Word is true, because He is the Author of truth and because I experience that truth every day." Maybe the love you show toward an honest doubter will help draw him fully to the truth. Think what an impact you could make on such an individual if you said, "I'm willing to meet with you as much as you want. I'll show you the Word of God and teach you the evidences of the Christian faith. I'll do whatever is necessary to direct your faith to Christ."

I think we need to reach out to people who are honest doubters. Part of the reason that some of us can't help people who are trapped in their own doubts, is that we don't have any answers for them. That's why Peter said that we should be able to give every man an answer for the hope that is in us (1 Pet. 3:15). If we Christians cannot defend our own faith to somebody with honest doubts, then we're in trouble. Many people have heard the invitation, but because of doubts, they fail to cry, "Lord, save me." They are in danger of drowning in apostasy. Therefore, we must reach them.

Second, we must reach out...

B. To the Deceived (v. 23a)

"save others, snatching them out of the fire..." (NASB)

1. EXPLAINED

Here a more drastic situation is in view. This group includes those who have gone beyond doubt and are at the edge of hell. They have committed themselves to some of Satan's lies. I see this group as already engulfed in an evil system. You can't just casually ask such people for a convenient time to talk. With a sense of urgency, you must say, "Get out of there!" When a person is engulfed in a terrible false system of religion, there is no time for tactful conversation. You need to be prepared to offend them and possibly remove them forcefully. Don't be too concerned about offending that person, for think how offensive that particular system is to God--He's been offended long enough. Let's offend Satan for a while.

When Jude says that we should be "snatching them out of the fire," I think he is referring to the eternal fire of hell. The place where the ungodly will spend eternity is described for first time in the New Testament in Matthew 3:12: "[The Lord's] fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the granary, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Hell is described throughout the New Testament as a fire that never goes out. Revelation 21:8 says, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolators, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" (cf. 20:10). People who have been deceived by Satan's lies and dragged into a false system of religion--whether it is liberal Christianity or Satan worship--need to be snatched as if they were a brand about to be burned (Zech. 3:2).

2. EXEMPLIFIED

a. By Lot

1) The Account

a) The Rescue

Snatching people out of fire is a theme that appears in Genesis 19: "And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters. which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city" (v. 15). In other words, "You better get out of here, Lot, unless you want to participate in the judgment that's going to take place." Sodom can represent a false religion that we need to rescue people from before it goes up in flames.

b) The Reluctance

Verse 16 records what was necessary to remove Lot and his family: And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his daughters, the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him outside of the city." Not immediately responding to the angels' warning, the lingering Lot and his family had to be dragged out of the city. You say, "Does that mean if I have a friend who has gone to a meeting of the Jehovah's Witnesses, I ought to go in there and drag him out?" Probably. It sure wouldn't do him any good to stay there, and he certainly would get the message about how you felt.

c) The Retribution

The judgment came in verse 24: "Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven." Lot and his daughters were rescued as brands snatched from the fire by the angels right before those cities were engulfed in flame.

2) The Application

Jude doesn't tell us how people get themselves so near the fire. But it seems apparent that they became engulfed in false doctrine, something characteristic of apostasy. We have to urgently rescue people who have identified themselves with a false system.

The Pharisees are a good example of a group of people who were engulfed in an evil religious system and therefore, on the edge of hell. Jesus confronted them in Matthew 23: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous....Ye serpents, ye generation of viper, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" (vv. 29, 33). What was it that had those Pharisees so close to hell? It was their commitment to a false religious system of salvation by works.

b. By Joshua

In Zechariah 3:1-2, we find another illustration of the same idea: "And he showed me Joshua, the high priest, standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD, who hath chosen Jerusalem, rebuke thee. Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" Satan indicted Joshua, but the angel of the LORD (the preincarnate Christ) defended Joshua as one under the protection of God.

So there are some in false doctrine who are at the very mouth of hell. They need to be snatched out of the fire before its too late. Finally, we must reach out...

C. To the Defiled (v. 23b)

"...and on some, have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh" (NASB).

1. EXPLAINED

The Greek word for "fear" is phobos from which the word phobia is derived (e.g., claustrophobia = "the fear of being closed in"; acrophobia = "the fear of heights"). The word means "fear, dread, or terror" and is associated with flight from something terrifying. Jude is saying that the way to handle this third group of people is to show them mercy with fear. In other words, although you are willing to give them the truth and win them to Christ, you must be ready to run, because those people are so engulfed in evil, that you are in potential danger.

Jude qualifies our caution in this manner: "...hating even the garment spotted [defiled] by the flesh." In other words, keep a clear perspective: love the person, but hate their sinful life-style. This group is so precariously engulfed in vice and in evil systems of religion that they become propagators of those systems. Some of the people in the second group may be good and ethical people, but these people are overtly involved in gross evil. However, hell will be filled with people from every group: the doubters, the deceived, and the defiled.

2. EXEMPLIFIED

We have to temper our zeal in dealing with people in the third group, because we are exposing ourselves to danger. Trying to rescue such people is like being the servants who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fiery furnace: they burned to death because they got too close to the fire. You've got to be careful with people who are engulfed in vice and lust--they are the nearest to hell. Like the doctor who treats an infectious disease and puts himself in danger of catching it, we are on dangerous ground when we deal with people engulfed in Satanic evil. We must take care as we extend mercy to them that we do not become defiled by them. For example, let's consider a person who wants to reach...

a. The Propagators of Satan' Lies

A Christian may desire to reach a person who is engulfed in a false religious system and who propagates it. But when he tries to communicate with that religious leader, he may get confused. The leader is so entrenched in his system that, instead of the Christian being able to get him out, the Christian is victimized and begins to doubt what he believes. Satan's alluring deceit is clever.

b. The Prosperous of Society

Suppose that a person wants to reach somebody who is very rich and starts to work with him. At some point, he may begin to identify with all the comforts and luxuries that the rich man enjoys. He can begin loving the very thing that is destroying the man he is trying to reach.

c. The Prostitutes on the Street

I once heard about someone a man who had a ministry exclusively with prostitutes. That's risky--I don't care who you are.

Maybe there's somebody you know who is deep in sin, and you spend yourself trying to reach that person. It's easy for Satan to lead you into temptation, without you even knowing it, so that you think, "That sin looks pretty good. I've been living the Christian life so long, I forgot about what I've been missing." Then, instead of getting somebody out, you're on the edge of the fire, burning too. You say, "Am I going to lose my salvation and go to hell?" No, but you're certainly going to lose your testimony with that person and bring yourself under the chastisement of God.

3. EXHORTED

The people of God must always maintain a tremendous hatred for error, vice, and defilement of every kind. When you begin to lose that, you become vulnerable. We have to show mercy, but we've got to hate fleshly corruptions, even their outside perimeters. I am reminded of what Paul said about Demas: "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world..." (2 Tim. 4:10). In the process of helping Paul reach the world for Christ, Demas fell in love with it. We must avoid anything that has the stain of sin on it.

a. The Allusions

Let's examine what Jude may have had in mind when he told his reader to hate the garment defiled by the flesh.

1) Leviticus 13:47-52--"The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woolen garment, or a linen garment; whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woolen; whether in a skin, or in anything made of skin; and if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in anything of skin; it is a plague of leprosy, and shall be shown unto the priest. And the priest shall look upon the plague, and shut up it that hath the plague seven days. And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day; if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, or in any work that is made of skin; the plague is a festering leprosy: it is unclean. He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woolen or in linen, or anything of skin, wherein the plague is; for it is a festering leprosy: it shall be burned in the fire."

A garment worn by a person with leprosy had to be burned. Jude is applying a similar idea of caution in dealing with the contagion of gross sin. Because there is tremendous danger in reaching out to people defiled by their sin, we must be cautious not to be defiled ourselves. For example, Christians had to keep their distance from one sinner, whose name was Paul. He considered himself to be the chief of sinners because he was so avid in his false system of religion that he went around killing Christians (1 Tim. 1:12-15; cf. Ac. 9:1- 2). The Lord didn't even bother to use a a believer to confront Paul. Rather He saved him by appearing to him on the Damascus road. Apparently, the Lord wouldn't let any Christians get near Paul to convert him, because they would only visit him once and still be living. So, unless the Lord prevents it, we must reach out to defiled people, taking caution to not touch their life-style lest we become contaminated ourselves.

2) Zechariah 3:3-4--"Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spoke unto those who stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from [Joshua]. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." In the Bible, dirty garments often represent pollution.

b. The Application

Isaiah 64:6 says, "...all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags...." However, one of the characteristics of a Christian as described in the book of Revelation is that he is clothed in a white robe. The Christian has symbolically been given a robe of righteousness in exchange for his filthy rags. Jude is saying, "Don't get too close to the dirty rags of a person's contamination." You might have heard Christians say, "I've got to see how the sinners live, so need to get close." That can be dangerous, so keep a distance from them appropriate for your level of spiritual maturity.

In these days of apostasy, we are to remember the words of the Apostles, remain in the place of blessing, reach out, and lastly...

IV. REST (vv. 24-25)

You say, "It's dangerous to live in this age of immorality and false teaching. It's hazardous to be in the business of rescuing people." Yes, it is hazardous to rescue people before they fall into the fires of hell, and to risk being defiled by the sinner that we are attempting to rescue. We can't retreat, however; we must attack. We need not fear if we rest...

A. In the Power of God (v. 24a)

"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling..."

You say, "Aren't we in danger of hell ourselves if we fall into this terrible evil? Aren't we in danger of being overcome in our efforts?" No, because God "is able to keep you from falling." That's divine omnipotence. Will God's children be safe in the days of apostasy? You better believe it! Will God's children be able to remain in the sphere of God's blessing? Yes, because God is able to do so. A child of God cannot become an apostate. We might get burned a little by losing the joy of our salvation and our rewards in heaven, as well as the happiness, peace, and blessedness of being a Christian now--if we get caught in the confusion of some evil system. But we will never lose our standing with God. He has the power to keep us from falling.

The word "keep" in verse 24 is not the Greek verb tereo, which means "to watch over or care for." That verb was used of somebody taking care of a sick person or caring for sheep, for example. The word that Jude uses is phulasso, which means "to watch in the case of attack." It stresses safe custody under attack. As a Christian, you may be attacked, but God is going to watch to make sure you are safe. God not only keeps us with watchful care, but He guards us as One who knows that we must be kept in safe custody when under attack. What security! God is able to keep us from falling into fatal error that damns us to hell. In the midst of the days of apostasy, we need not fear--He is able to keep us. You didn't save yourself and you can't keep yourself, but God saved you and He can keep you. Second, we need to rest...

B. In the Promise of God (v. 24b)

"...[He will] present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy"

That's contrary to everything most people imagine about meeting God. You might think that meeting a holy God would be a frightening experience. But there is no need to fear, knowing that He is going to present you faultless--you are going to get to heaven without a fault. Do you know why? Jesus Christ died for every sin you'll ever commit--all your faults are taken care of. Don't worry about apostasy, because it is not ultimately going to affect you.

The word "faultless" (Gk. amomous) is a word that is used in sacrificial contexts. In fact, it's the same word that describes Jesus in 1 Peter 1:19 as "a lamb without blemish." We will be as faultless as Christ Himself when we enter into His presence. What a great promise!

1. EPHESIANS 5:25-27--The Apostle Paul said, "...Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word; that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

2. 2 CORINTHIANS 11:2--Paul said, "...I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." Someday, when we stand before God, we are not going to hear the cracking of any divine whips; we will be faultless. No sins will be held against our account, for Christ has paid for them in full.

As a result, what should our attitude be? Exceeding joy. Contrary to what many people think about entering the presence of God with fear and disgrace, Christians will be spotless and experiencing joy before Him. When you start to think about how wonderful that will be, your only response can be...

C. In the Praise of God (v. 25)

"To the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."

I feel like Jude. When I realize that the Lord will keep me from falling and present me faultless, I want to join him in praising God the Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord. God deserves praise. All glory is His; that is the sum of all of His attributes. All majesty is His; that speaks of His greatness, splendor, and dignity. All dominion is His; that speaks of His right to rule over the world. And all power is His; that designates His authority to rule and His ability to do anything. We should praise God for everything!

So, what does Jude say to the believer living in the age of apostasy? Remember: Don't be surprised, God said apostasy would come. Remain: Stay in the sphere of God's blessing by building yourselves in the Word, praying, and looking for Jesus' Second Coming. Reach out to people who are in danger of hell. Rest: Don't fear, for He is able to keep you from falling and is able to present you faultless. Therefore our response should be praise to God.

Jude is a book for our time. It is a book about how to survive in the last days of apostasy. We are confident and secure, but we are also concerned about those around us who don't know Christ. I trust that God will bring these truths to your understanding so that we can join together with Jude in praising God.

Focusing on the Facts

1. What does Jude exhort us to remember as we face the days of apostasy? What is a major cause of spiritual deterioration? 

2.What is the only security against false doctrine? Although believing false doctrine won't cause a a Christian to lose his salvation, what can it result in? 

3.What did Paul predict would happen to the Ephesian church after he left it? (Ac. 20:29-30)

4.Who did Jude specifically say would come "in the last time"? Explain. (v. 18)

5.What do apostate false teachers deceive others about? 

6.In what sense are apostate false teachers like the Pharisees? 

7.Although Jude criticized false teachers as being "sensual," into what realm did they consider themselves to have entered? Explain. 

8.To be a child of God, what must a person have, according to Romans 8:9? For that reason, why can't false teachers be Christians? 

9.Jude exhorted us to keep ourselves in the love of God. What two kinds of love was Jude not referring to? Why? 

10.How can Christians prevent God from pouring out His love on them? 

11.What does the eye of a hurricane represent with regard to apostasy? 

12.What two things are Christians supposed to do in terms of the faith? How do the building techniques mentioned in Nehemiah illustrate that? 

13.How is a Christian built up in the faith? Cite at least two scriptures to support your answer. 

14.If a Christian is ever to be strong enough to remain in the sphere of God's blessing when Satan attacks, what must he make a commitment to do? 

15.Explain the proper perspective that prayer helps you to keep. 

16.What does it mean to pray in the Holy Spirit? 

17.Why does the Holy Spirit intercede for Christians? (Rom. 8:26)

18.What does the Christian need to be looking for in order to remain in the sphere of God's blessing? 

19.What three great realities of the Christian experience should we concentrate on if we want to remain in the place of blessing? 

20.What has enabled scholars to produce more accurate translations of the Bible? 

21.What three groups of people does Jude exhort us to reach out to? 

22.What should be our reaction to those who doubt? Why should Christians be especially adept in responding that way? 

23.How do people with honest doubts about Christianity need to be dealt with? 

24.What is one reason that some Christians are unable to help people who are trapped in their own doubts? What is the scriptural solution?

25.How should reaching out to those who are deceived be done differently than reaching out to doubters?

26.How do people apparently get themselves so near the fire of God's retribution?

27.What should characterize how we reach out to the defiled? Why?

28.What can happen to a Christian who carelessly deals with people who are engulfed in satanic evil?

29.In helping Paul reach the world for Christ, what apparently happened to Demas? (2 Tim. 4:10)

30.What was necessary to do to the garment that had been infected with leprosy, according to Leviticus 13? How does Jude apply that idea when dealing with gross sin?

31.How does Isaiah describe our self-righteousness? How will Christians be clothed in heaven, according to the book of Revelation? What will that symbolize?

32.Why are we Christians not ultimately in danger of being overcome in our efforts to help others?

33.In what condition will we be presented to God, according to Jude 24? As a result, what should be our attitude?

34.Knowing that we will be righteous and joyful when we stand in God's presence, what should be our response now?

Pondering the Principles

1. Peter, Paul, and Jude all exhort us to remember scriptural truths. If someone asked you why you listen to Bible teachers and read the Bible, what would you tell them? Match each of the following benefits of knowing Scripture to the appropriate verses:

a. Generating faith - Psalm 19:8

b. Bringing salvation - 1 John 2:1

c. Revealing Christ - 1 Thessalonians 4:18

d. Edifying believers - Psalm 19:7

e. Giving comfort - John 5:39

f. Producing joy - 1 Timothy 4:6

g. Supplying guidance - Romans 10:17

h. Providing wisdom - 1 John 5:13

i. Producing purity - 2 Timothy 3:15

j. Avoiding sin - 1 Peter 1:22

k. Providing assurance - Psalm 119:105

j. Attaining success - Joshua 1:8-9

2. Are you keeping yourself and your family in " love of God" (v. 21)? How would your rate yourself with letter grades in the areas of studying and applying the Word of God, praying, and anticipating Christ's return? What measurable goals do you need to set for yourself to strengthen the areas that are weak. Who do you know that can hold you accountable for those goals and encourage you to meet them? If you have moved out of the Father's circle of blessing, as the Prodigal Son did, realize that God awaits with open arms of rejoicing for your return.

3. Although some apostate false teachers are beyond the point of being redeemed, God still loves the many people who have been influenced by their erroneous teachings. Do you have the natural tendency to despise those who are part of a false system? Consider viewing them as only victims of the enemy, rather than the enemy himself. From a human standpoint, why might it be frustrating to share the gospel with a victim of Satan, according to 2 Corinthians 4:4? According to verse 6, why do you think we can have confidence that spiritually blind eyes can be opened? When you have the opportunity to share Christ with someone who is committed to a false religious system, make sure that the essentials of the gospel are communicated, and that they are done so in a loving manner. As a result, you will plant a seed that the individual may allow to be watered at a later date.

4. From a theoretical standpoint, it may seem like a Christian need not worry about sin in this life if he is going to be presented faultless before God. However, nothing could be further from the truth! What are some reasons that we need to avoid sin and confess it when we commit it, as implied in the following verses? Psalms 5:4; 32:3-5; 51:7-13; Romans 6:1-2; 8:7; 1 Corinthians 11:29-30; 2 Timothy 2:19- 21; 1 John 1:9. Clearly, sin will bring about negative consequences in this life, and its confession will restore a right relationship with God and the accompanying joy (Ps. 51:3, 7-12). When did you last evaluate your attitudes and actions from God's perspective? Could some of the trials that you have recently experienced be the result of God's fatherly discipline in your life? Determine to make confession a part of your personal daily prayer time with God. Let His cleansing hand restore you to the place of blessing when you fall.