Build Yourselves Up

But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.
Jude 1:20‭-‬21 HCSB

The author of this book was Jude, a brother of Jesus and James, the leader of the church in Jerusalem. Jude is concerned with rogue who call themselves Christians but who are wolves in disguise.

The above exhortation comes as an encouragement to stay IN the love of Christ, much like Jesus's exhortation to stay linked to the vine. He encourages the recipients of his letter to build themselves up, praying in the Holy Spirit.

As I walk I pray in the Holy Spirit almost daily. I know when I miss it as my flesh is more active and less tolerant. I inherited this lack of tolerance from my great grandfather. He was a very intolerant man and spent most of his time as a drover as he preferred animals to people, my dad was very similar. However, I want to be tolerant and gracious and bathe my spirit in God's goodness as I walk.

Jude goes on to pronounce severe judgment on these wolves, I have alreadt mentioned. He portrays James' character. It isn't any wonder that both James and Jude did not believe Jesus was the Son of God until after his resurrection. They both portray very choleric natures and would not suffer fools lightly.

The Christian needs to be 'in the love of God', yet wise as serpents. Amen!