HIS Merciful Sacrifice

^"But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." Jude 1:20-21

A few years ago someone pointed this passage out to me and asked 'what do you think this passage is saying to us'? At that time I wasn't ultimately sure but I believe that I have a better understanding of this passage today. Lets take it block by block so to speak (or write). 

But you, refers to us as Christians.  As Christian believers we are called to build ourselves up in the most holy faith.  Holy faith refers to, the relationship we are meant to have and share with Christ, this is the relationship we should hold to or stand by. We are called to devote ourselves to learning more about our faith and to develop a deep relationship with Christ and to pray in the Holy Spirit. Praying in the spirit, refers to devoting time in our lives to communicate with God through the Holy Spirit by consistently living a life of prayer and worship.  How do we do that simple, taking time to do so. When we do this we are working to keep ourselves in God's Love. This is self explanatory :-)

Next we come to the latter part of our passage, when we work to keep ourselves in Gods love we open our hearts to receive HIS mercy. HIS mercy is HIS love.  Gods mercy brings us out of the worst of situations and prepares us for what is to come in the days ahead.  It is that mercy that is the basis of everything that God has done for us.  HIS merciful sacrifice is what paved the way for the eternal life that the end of this passage speaks about.  The purpose of this sacrifice was to give us that eternal life.

All in all this is a very valuable passage for us to remember.  From the beginning it teaches us that we are called to devote ourselves to a life that is pleasing to the Loving God who is all merciful to us.  We have a chance to embrace a life that is built on nothing less than our love for God.  When we embrace this life and wholeheartedly surrender to HIM we receive our ticket to eternal life, our ticket to Salvation...

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.