OUR FATHER WHO IS ABLE TO KEEP US FROM STUMBLING

Judeˋs letter continues in verses 12 - 25 to speak of those who were infiltrating their ranks and bringing with them ungodliness.

They are described as contameyinants in the gatherings of love where they participate with selfish impunity. These agents of darkness are desccribed as clouds without water. They present themselves as christians who would bring blessing to others but instead deliver deliver nothing for they devour from others rather than give.

Another metaphor used by Jude to describe the infiltrators is that they are like rootless trees out of season that have no fruit and are dead in soul and in spirit. They are as waves that bluster and rage with foam representing their shame. Most frighteningly, they are represented as wandering planets whose ultimate end is to eternally stagnate in outer darkness.

Jude invokes an ancient prophecy by Enoch speaking of those who entered the body of believers under false pretences  which speaks of the Lord returning with a great number of His saints to bring judgement upon those who were ungodly and spoke harshly against God.

12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

Jude lists the characteristics of those in this category as grumblers, complainers, lustful, talkers, flatterers,  mockers, worldly and divisive. 

Conversely, true believers are counseled to pray in the Holy Spirit and remain ensconsed in the love of God seeking His mercy that receives them into eternal life. Jude instructs the sincere believers to be compassionate towards those in their midst who were lost and to try to get them saved with fear while at the same time keeping well clear of  their defilements to avoid contaminating themselves.

20 o you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,

And to present you faultless

Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

25 To God our Savior,

Who alone is wise,

Be glory and majesty,

Dominion and power,

Both now and forever.

Amen.

Jude ends his letter with a blessing of joy o the true believers when they will be presented faultless before the glory of the only wise God to whom be glory and majesty and dominion and power in the present and for eternity,

Amen

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