Life Lessons From Jude - Service

Jude 1:22-23 (TLB)

Try to help those who argue against you. Be merciful to those who doubt. Save some by snatching them as from the very flames of hell itself. And as for others, help them to find the Lord by being kind to them, but be careful that you yourselves aren’t pulled along into their sins. Hate every trace of their sin while being merciful to them as sinners.

In these verses, Jude is teaching us how to be of service to others. He illustrates acts of service for a believer towards an unbeliever in the following ways;

·       Help those who argue against you (vs 22a)

·       Be merciful to those who doubt (vs 22b)

·       Save some, by snatching them as from the very flames of hell itself (vs 23a)

·       Help others find the Lord by being kind to them (vs 23b)

·       Hate sin, every trace of it; be merciful to sinners (vs 23c)

How can we help those who argue against us?

2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NIV)

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.  And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Emphasis Mine

Why wouldn’t you argue? Because it leads to quarrels.

Proverbs 20:3 (NIV)

It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool is quick to quarrel.

It becomes a ripple-effect because arguments lead to quarreling.

Jude is illustrating an act of service here by teaching us that we should help those who argue against us.

Another practical way of helping those who argue against us is by you physically walking away from the environment. This action will help prevent you from saying things or getting involved in an ungodly action.  Amen!