BUILDING UP YOURSELVES
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 20-21
The Book of Jude is primarily devoted to the subject of false prophets and apostasy. Near the end of this very brief yet dynamic book, instructions are given to Christians for letting our lights shine in a darkening world. One thing that is called for is that God’s people would be “building up yourselves on your most holy faith.” The phrase “building up yourselves” clearly indicates personal responsibility for our spiritual condition. We must take the initiative to keep ourselves built up. Obviously, the Holy Spirit wants to work in our lives.
God gives us pastors and teachers to admonish us. But God will hold each of us responsible for our spiritual growth and maturity. Where am I spiritually? Am I growing in grace? Is there continued progress in my Christian journey? Am I increasingly more useful in God’s work? Am I more Christ-like in my responses and attitudes? These are the things that should concern each of us.
Along with commanding us to be “building up” ourselves, Jude details several basic, yet essential things that will contribute to our spiritual stability. He mentions “praying in the Holy Ghost.” There will be a definite correlation between our prayer lives and our spiritual strength. Our prayer times should be spiritual, as we are led and influenced by the Spirit of God. We don’t know what to pray for without the Spirit’s involvement.
Jude also tells us to “keep yourselves in the love of God.” We are to keep ourselves loving God. When our passionate love for God begins to wane, it should be a strong signal that something is missing in our spiritual lives. When we do not love Him as we should, our service and worship will be affected. If we do not love Him as we ought, it is usually because we have taken our eyes off of Him and are focusing on other things. As long as we are gazing by faith on the Savior and contemplating His unconditional love for us, we will be enamored with love for Him.
We also notice that Jude encourages us to be “looking” for Jesus to come. The thought of seeing Jesus, falling before Him, and worshiping Him in Heaven motivates us. An earnest expectation for His return will keep building us upon our “most holy faith.”