“Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear–hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” Jude 22-23
Everywhere you go there will be someone who doubts something in the Bible. Some of these people who doubt will be non-believers in the world. Others will be believers.
Very often when someone doubts something, the believer will tell that person they are crazy or being stupid. Many adults become like little children in name calling and condemnation. It is often stated “if you don’t believe this, you are going to hell”. While this is true about salvation in Jesus, it is not always true about everything else.
Here, Jude tells you to be merciful to those people. Do not judge them harshly right away. They may not have seen the light of truth yet. They do not have the right perspective to understand the truth.
Some of those that doubt you may be able to save by getting them away from what keeps them from believing. Get these people away from other unbelieving friends, away from sinful places and situations. This is getting them out of the fire.
Jude also states that as you show mercy, you must also have some fear mixed in. This is fear of getting caught up in the unbelief and doubt.
Over the years you have probably seen or heard of some great Christian who suddenly starts living a sinful lifestyle while stating it is acceptable in God’s eyes. They were probably around many people who led a false life of being a Christian. They began to have doubts about what God’s Word really says. Eventually fell to the temptation of living that lie.
If you are around those who doubt it is easy to begin to doubt. Just like being around someone who is down and out, it is difficult to be cheerful yourself.
Always flee all sin. Always flee all appearance of sin. Do not allow yourself to get stained with sinful thoughts and practices. Reach out to those in sin and attempt to snatch them from the fire, but remember to do it with mercy.
God had mercy on you when He saved you. You also must have mercy on others in the same way. God worked with you to bring you where you are today. Work with others who doubt to help them see the light of Jesus and the Truth.
I pray that God will help you to show mercy to others; that God will guide you in snatching others from the fire; that you will not allow yourself to be stained with sinful practices of others; and that God will use you to draw many to a saving knowledge in Jesus and His Truth.
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