“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. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” (Jude 20-23)

Having warned his readers of whom to avoid, he now encourages even more fellowship with other true believers. Saints of God should continually remind one another of the doctrines of the grace of God. By giving glory to a Sovereign God, the heart of the believer is strengthened and faith is made stronger.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16)

Saints should not only be praying for one another for physical and spiritual needs, they should pray that the doctrines of grace be preached more boldly and clearly among them.

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” (Colossians 4:2-4)

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” (2nd Thessalonians 3:1)

Jude tells his readers to “keep themselves in the love of God.” By this, he does not mean that there is some act of faith or work that must be done in order to gain or keep eternal salvation. In the opening of the epistle, Jude clearly shows that our eternal relationship with God is secure based on what God has done. However, we do have a personal responsibility to maintain righteous living so that we can continue in fellowship with a Holy God. Jesus explains it this way;

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10)

Jesus is one with the Father for all eternity. He is the eternal Son of God and therefore is not saying He maintains His relationship to the Father by obedience. He is saying that He maintains His fellowship with the Father by doing the Father’s will. The children of God are eternally secure in their relationship with the Father. When they keep His commandments, God is pleased to have fellowship with them and they feel that they are abiding in His love.

Jude confirms this by telling them that the mercy of God is the cause of their eternal life. Since God has had mercy on us, we should respond in thanksgiving with a righteous walk. He also exhorts us to help those that have been overcome by these false doctrines and have followed the wicked heretics. We should recognize who has been leading people astray and avoid them. At the same time, we should recognize those who have been led astray and help them return to the fold and true worship of God.

To the heretic, we should turn our backs. To the hurting, we should should show compassion and patience. And still there are others that need a more clear warning of God’s displeasure. To those, we should remind them of the holiness of God and His displeasure with their behavior. These may even include some among the false teachers. These warnings should show a strong hatred for the lifestyle, speech, and actions of those caught up in sin. We should truly show hatred for the sin lest we get caught up in their immoral behavior.