Build Each Other Up

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Scripture: Jude 20-21 (NLT)

20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, * 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

Devotion:

            In our world today there seem to be people who are bent on tearing each other down. That, however, is not the way Christians should act toward one another. Here in this short letter of Jude we see a counter-cultural way of living given as an example of how to live in the world. Instead of the go-along to get-along attitude of many Christians we are told to contend for the faith. (v. 3) Resisting those who are evil. But we are to do it without fighting and quarreling.

            And for those who are in the church we are to have one another’s backs. We are to defend and encourage our fellow believers. We are to do that by first praying for each other. We are to always engage in active and constant prayer for our fellow believers with all kinds of prayers and supplications. If we are constantly praying for one another the devil will have less opportunity to disrupt each other’s lives.

            We, also, are to wait for the mercy of Jesus Christ. Together as a body of Christ we are to await the return of our savior, Jesus, to bring us to eternal life. If we are in prayer for one another and we together await the redemption of our bodies at the return of Jesus Christ, we will then keep the church safe in our love for God. These are simple instructions that we must follow in order to see that the world is a safe place for each of us together as a church to practice our faith.

Prayer:

            Lord God Almighty, help us to keep the instructions in this scripture that we may be found as your faithful servants in the world. Protect us as we contend for your faith in this dying and depressing world. Heal our diseases and grant us safety from the world’s delusions and sins. Lead us in the way of peace proclaimed by Jesus while he was here on earth. Grant to us eternal life as we seek to live as your servants in the world. Amen.

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