DATE: 3/6/13
DAY 65
Good Morning! My name is Bill Barrick and I was asked to give you a devotional thought from the book of Jude.
KEY VERSE
Jude 22-23 Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others out from the fire and save them.
REFLECTIONS:
If your loved one was trapped in a house engulfed in flames, wouldn’t you do everything you could to save them and get them out – even if it meant losing your own life? Of course you would!
What if that person was a total stranger? As imitators of Jesus Christ we wouldn’t think twice about risking our own lives and saving them from certain death.
But what if that person in the fire was your enemy? What if that person despised you and ridiculed you? And honestly, what if you felt that person probably deserved to die anyway because of all the bad things they’d done? What if the roles were reversed and you realized that person would probably save himself and leave you behind? Would you pull that person from the burning house and lead them to safety?
APPLICATION:
In this short but powerful letter to Jude and fellow believers, the Apostle Paul reminds us that the burning fate of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah is an example of those who “suffer the punishment of eternal fire.” A horrible thought for those of us with unsaved loved ones.
Paul also warns us about “filthy dreamers” and those who “speak evil against what they do not understand.” God’s judgment awaits “people who corrupt themselves, run greedily…after reward, murmurers, complainers, those walking after their own lusts, mockers in the last times, the sensual, and people having not the spirit.”
BUT…Paul says to “keep ourselves in the love of God…” We should have compassion on the ungodly who do not walk in the spirit and who mock the faith. He encourages us to “Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them.” Without Jesus they will suffer in the fire that lasts forever.
After all, Jesus snatched each of us out of the “fire” and saved us – not because we became “good” people but because we simply believed in Him and turned from our sin. Let’s ask God to give us the spirit of compassion. Let’s pray that we can be imitators of Jesus and boldly share the “Good News” with anyone – even an enemy.
Thank you for being a part of the 66-Day Challenge. Thanks for reading and you have a blessed day.
In Christ,
Bill
SAVED: Age 22
FAVORITE BIBLE CHARACTER: Paul
FAMILY: Spouse: Jane, Sons: Matt, Henry (wife Amber), Wilbur, and Steve in Heaven
OCCUPATION: Vocational Graphic Arts Teacher
HOBBIES: Travel, writing, piano
AREAS OF MINISTRY: Encouragement, teaching
FAVORITE BOOK IN BIBLE: Genesis