A very tough assignment . . .

 

READ Jude

My mother belonged to a church that believed everyone would be saved. This doctrine is called “universalism” and helps the kind-hearted deal with Bible passages that say otherwise. I felt that angst this morning reading these verses in Jude:

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude 3–4)

The line that is the most troublesome is “who long ago were designated for this condemnation” for it signals no hope. It is troublesome because some of those people are on my prayer list. At least it seems as if they are these who are described as ungodly, without faith, indulging in immorality, rejecting authority, and blaspheming those considered glorious. These are people without the Spirit of God and “for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.”

Just thinking about anyone being on a trajectory that leads to everlasting punishment makes me shudder and at the same time feel both great sorrow and a sort of pity because it seems that nothing will change their lot in life and for eternity. Yet Jude offers a hint of hope:

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. (17–23)

First, this should not be a surprise; Jesus said there would be people like this. However, this passage says to keep building my faith, trusting and relying on the love of God and praying in the power of the Holy Spirit. It says to be merciful towards those who doubt and even save “others” by snatching them out of the fire of God’s wrath. I’m hearing God say that I should hate their sin but care enough for them and their fate that I will do whatever He gives me to do that will make a difference.

The bottom line is that I don’t know who is “destined for condemnation” and who is going to be a recipient of God’s mercy. This makes sense of “love your enemies” and “do good to those who hate you” because this shows how to “show mercy with fear” —the very thing that could change someone’s eternal destiny.