On Trial- How Many are you Snatching?
I have been writing on the topic of: "If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" We can get so consumed with the deeper questions of our faith, or simply get too busy to think about this question, and forget the basics of whether we're actually living and looking like a Christian. The topics covered in this series are: Relationship With God | Fruit of the Spirit | Orphans, Widows, Foreigners | Justice, Mercy, Walking Humbly. This is the final week in the series and I will look at topic of: "how many are you snatching from the fire?"
This is black and white post. It was not easy for me to write because there is no gray way to write on this subject, as humans like gray areas to justify their mindsets and practices. But, there are no "ifs, ands, or buts" when it comes to God's view on this topic. Scripture is quite clear...
Part of what it means to be a Christian is evangelism (Matthew 28: 18- 20) AND shining light on false doctrines. The writer of the book of Jude is most likely the half brother of Jesus. Jude, like James (also Jesus' half brother) did not become a follower of Jesus until after Jesus' ascension. As I mentioned 2 weeks ago, to be the earthly brother of Jesus brought resentment, hatred, and anger because Jesus was different and they knew it growing up with Him. When Jesus ascended, his earthly family saw Him for Who He really was and went on various missionary journeys spreading the Gospel. Both James and Jude have short epistles. But while they are short, they smack you and convict you on what a real Christian should look like.
The book of Jude only has 1 chapter but he smacks with his words. Quite simply in 25 verses, Jude's aim is clear: to expose false teachers that were in the Christian community AND encourage Christians to stand firm in their faith.
When you get down to verse 23, he boldly states: "save others by snatching them from the fire." Is there any evidence in your life as a Christian where you are snatching friends, family and others from the the fire that Scripture talks about? Or, are you being passive, dancing around the issue, not bringing up topics to get a conversation going about the questionable doctrines they are sitting under? In his epistle, Jude reminds us that there is a time and place to aggressively protect and stand up for the truth of our Christian faith without mincing words or trying to protect feelings.
So what does Jude 1:23 really mean?:
With commentary from theologian John Gill, Jude is saying with verse 23 that false teachers, who lead people into erroneous practices, that "if possible and by sharp admonition and tough language, remind them of the awful judgements of God." Jude is reminding us that we are to boldly share the truth of the Gospel by not wavering from the fact that while God is loving and merciful, He is also filled with wrath and that eternal damnation is real.
According to Gill, when Jude writes "snatch them from the fire." He is saying, pull them out of "soul destroying doctrines, as well as their filthy and unnatural lusts, and as it were out of the fire of hell, of which they are in great danger."
And, the latter part of verse 23: "hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh," we are being told to dislike people's sinful behavior, not their person, but their acts. By calling them out on their acts, and perhaps it will save them.
Jude uses some very strong language in verse 23. But when I pair Jude's language with the voice of God in the Old Testament in His disgust of false doctrine and idolatry; (Deuteronomy 28), and pair that language with how Jesus spoke out against false doctrines (Matthew 24:24) and how He told the woman at the well to go and sin no more (John 8:11); and pair that language with Peter's tough language on false doctrines in 2 Peter 2: 1-3 I see consistency. The Bible is clear on God's view of false doctrine and Jude tells us to snatch as many from the fire as possible.
Be careful to speak with all people with gentleness. No one likes being told what to do. And while Jude tells us that there is a time and place to aggressively snatch people back from false doctrines, it must be done with gentleness. "Aggressively snatching" doesn't mean arguing, judging or degrading people. Tolerance and respect for other religions and other Christian doctrines goes both ways, and Paul writes in Romans 15:7 to accept one another. Wisdom from above is gentle (James 3:17). And Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2: 24-26 to gently correct others.
Don't lose sight that if you have decided to follow Jesus you are a Christian. And there should be evidence of your faith in your actions, not just your words. There are many other topics of evidence of looking like Jesus, but I have chosen 5 topics in 5 weeks to get the conversation going and to get you thinking. If you were on trial, being accused of being a Christian, would there be any evidence of you having a relationship with God; of the Fruit of the Spirit in your actions; of you caring for widows, orphans, and foreigners; of you exercising justice, mercy and walking humbly with God; and finally, of your snatching people from the fire?