Cycle of the Christian Life!

 

Jude, the shortest book in the Bible, prioritizes on three responsibilities of a Christian. It is part of his conclusion in exhortation and benediction section. He shows the interdependency in relationships and their impact. Let’s review some verses to make my point.

Jude 1 identifies the author of the book as Jude, brother of James. This likely refers to Jesus' half-brother, as Jesus also had another half-brother named James (Matthew 13:55). Jude probably does not identify himself as a brother of Jesus out of humility and reverence for Christ. The Book of Jude is closely related to the book of 2 Peter. The date of authorship for Jude depends on whether Jude used content from 2 Peter, or vice versa.

The Book of Jude was written somewhere between A.D. 60 and 80. It is an important book for us today as it portrays the end times, and the end of the church age, which began at the Day of Pentecost. Jude is the only book given entirely to the great apostasy. He writes that evil works are the evidence of apostasy. He admonishes us to contend for the faith, as there are tares among the wheat. False prophets are in the church and the saints are in danger. Jude is a small but important book worth studying as its written for the Christian of today.

As we carefully read the verses 20 -23 in Jude, it draws the ultimate responsibility of every believer in the Church and of the Church as an entity. The big three responsibilities of the church categorized in these verses are as follows:

1.     Inspire every believer to remain in faith.

V 20-21 “But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.”

Growing in the faith results in multiple expressions. The person grows in the knowledge of the Lord and bears fruits with the focus on eternity. It is important to note that the pastor is not a superhero who can always ensure from his congregation 100% commitment to the Lord in the non-Church hours but yes, he can inspire and nurture a person enough with the uncompromising word of God and Christian ethics. Sometimes the Church tries this by keeping the people busy with the Church activities and weekly programs. And at the end making them more religious with Church sentiments and hardly making them accountable towards the Great Commission responsibilities. Diane Langberg states this, "God's purpose is not to build up spectacular ministries, or display brilliant minds, or articulate tongues or pleasing, arresting personalities. God's purpose is to make us, you and me, like his Son. It is the only outcome that brings glory to the Father.".

2.     Ignite the ones who waver from the faith.

V 22 “Have mercy on those who waver.”

Most of the time people go to Church to fulfil their weekly obligation. Sunday becomes a religious day like any other religion which has specific days in a week to observe piety. Along with it comes our offerings and few commitments, and there ends our responsibility. As Christians, are we helping the other fellow believers who are struggling in their faith due to various reason? John in his book 1 John 3:17 holds each person responsible for his fellow believer, “If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him- how does God’s love reside in him?” And Paul to the book of Romans 15:1 says, “Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves.”

3.     Influence the people to be missional outside the four walls of your Church.

 V 23 “save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”

Here comes the big mission, where Jude reminds the third big responsibility of every Christians is to save others by snatching from the fire. The who one who does not know God are racing down the highway of hell. Paul while writing to the Thessalonians states, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 “when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious strength.”.

As a Church are we successful in taking our people to the next level, i.e., to be effective in the marketplace? Or still struggling to stagnate them in the first stage, inspiring them to be in the faith. This is the best way to gauge your effectiveness and the Church’s effectiveness. Churches are stagnating in the first phase; the need of being inspired to be in the Lord. And then have convincing excuses on why they are not able to influence and inspire their friends with the gospel. One reason we lack the opportunity to share our faith is because we have little or no meaningful contact with non-Christians. Non-Christians are not hearing our message, because they’re not within the sound of our voices! The gospel hasn’t lost its power. We have simply lost their audience!

Understand the cycle of the Christian life.  You are not just responsible for your soul but also of your neighbours. 

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