The Antidote to False Teaching: Remembering, Responding, and Resting in God's Truth

In a world filled with conflicting messages and spiritual counterfeits, how can we discern truth from falsehood? How do we protect ourselves and others from deceptive teachings that can lead us astray? The book of Jude offers profound wisdom on this matter, providing us with a powerful antidote to false teaching: mercy-filled remembering and responding.

At the heart of this message lies a crucial understanding: eternity matters. Where we spend eternity is of utmost importance, and deception about spiritual truths can have painful and damning consequences. This is why it's so vital to anchor ourselves in the authentic teachings of Christ and His apostles, rather than falling for counterfeit gospels that may look convincing on the surface but ultimately fail to transform lives.

Remembering: The Foundation of Faith

The first step in combating false teaching is to remember. But what exactly are we called to remember? Jude urges us to recall "what was predicted by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ." This isn't about clinging to outdated ideas, but rather holding fast to the foundational truths of our faith – truths that have been confirmed by the church for 2,000 years.

In an age where "new revelations" and reinterpretations of scripture abound, we must be vigilant. The enemy's tactics haven't changed since the Garden of Eden, where he first planted doubt by asking, "Did God really say that?" We need to be like the Bereans, who diligently studied the scriptures to verify the teachings they heard.

Responding: Building and Rescuing

Remembering alone isn't enough; we must also respond. This response takes two primary forms: building and rescuing.

Building ourselves up in our "most holy faith" is an active, ongoing process. It's not a one-time event but a continual effort to strengthen our spiritual foundation. This involves more than just accumulating knowledge – it requires obedience to God's word and prayer in the Holy Spirit. As we build, we're called to keep ourselves in God's love, which involves both loving what He loves and hating what He hates.

The rescue aspect of our response is where mercy takes center stage. Jude outlines three types of people we're called to show mercy to:

1. Those who waver or doubt
2. Those who need to be "snatched from the fire"
3. Those who are in danger due to false teaching

This rescue mission requires a delicate balance of truth and compassion. We're called to have "mercy on those who doubt" – not to berate or belittle them, but to gently guide them back to the truth. For those caught in the "fire" of false teaching, we need to act with urgency, pulling them to safety. And for those deeply entrenched in falsehood, we must approach with caution, "hating even the garment defiled by the flesh."

The Power of Mercy

A sobering truth emerges from this passage: those who struggle to show mercy to others often have an inadequate view of the mercy they've received. The more we grasp the depth of God's mercy toward us, the easier it becomes to extend that same mercy to others.

This brings us to the heart of the gospel – a message of undeserved mercy and grace. Our world wasn't meant to be filled with brokenness, pain, and confusion. Sin disrupted God's perfect design, and no human effort can fully repair the damage. But God, in His infinite mercy, provided the solution:

"God wrapped himself in flesh on your behalf. Came to earth and died the death you were due so that you could be in relationship with him again."

This is the true gospel – not a message of self-improvement or earning God's favor, but one of complete transformation through faith in Christ. It's a message that calls us to repentance and offers forgiveness for every sin.

Resting in God's Sufficiency

As we remember truth and respond with mercy, we can rest in the assurance that God is able to protect us from stumbling. The letter of Jude ends with a powerful doxology, reminding us that all glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to God alone.

This truth allows us to engage in the work of building our faith and rescuing others without fear. We don't have to rely on our own strength or wisdom – God is able to complete what He has started in us.

Reflection and Application

As we consider these truths, let's ask ourselves some challenging questions:

1. Am I actively building my faith on the firm foundation of God's word?
2. Do I show mercy to those who doubt or have been led astray, or do I tend to judge harshly?
3. How aware am I of the mercy God has shown me? Does this awareness overflow into mercy for others?
4. Am I vigilant against false teachings, or have I become complacent?
5. Do I rest in God's ability to protect and perfect me, or do I rely too much on my own efforts?

The message of Jude is as relevant today as it was when it was first written. In a world full of spiritual counterfeits, we need to remember truth, respond with mercy-filled action, and rest in God's sufficiency. May we be people who contend for the faith with both conviction and compassion, always ready to extend the same mercy we've received to those around us.