For quite some time now we have been studying the book of Jude, and we have read many traits and characteristics about false teachers. When we see so much said about them, we should keep in mind that God is the ultimate author of any of the books of the Bible, and he used men to write His words. God, Our Heavenly Father, is very concerned about our being deceived by those who promote any other teaching than the gospel of Jesus Christ because He knows our eternal destiny lies in the balance. As Jude begins to close his words, he has turned his attention to how we are to be in light of these false teachers. Yesterday we were instructed to keep ourselves in the love of God and looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Today we are given the first instruction for how to manage those who promote false doctrines and teachings. Jude wrote in verse twenty-two:
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
It is one thing to know and recognize when someone is teaching or believing something that is false, and it is quite another to do something about it. With all the offerings and availabilities of beliefs within our world, it is no wonder that so many are confused. There are numerous ways to react to these with whom we come in contact, and Jude says “and of some have compassion”. For some people we are to be compassionate, merciful, sympathetic and as though we are assisting them in knowing the truth. For example, let's look at an incident in the book of Acts in chapter eighteen and verses twenty-four through twenty-six where a man named Apollos was corrected by a man and woman named Aquila and Priscilla:
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, [and] mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto [them], and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
The manner in which Aquila and Priscilla showed Apollos the way of God more perfectly is a wonderful demonstration as to how we may work with others. Compassion makes a difference. When Aquila and Priscilla showed compassion, it redirected Apollos, and he became a mighty speaker for the Kingdom of God. Some people respond well to being shown the truth of the scriptures even when the scriptures contradict what they are currently believing or teaching. The old adage, “people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care” often applies. Caring for, being merciful to, and demonstrating a willingness to assist some people will make a difference in their beliefs and separate them from false teachings and ideas. When we care for others compassionately, we may be the ones used by God to draw people away from futile understanding. It is important that we make ourselves available for the Heavenly Father's use, and may we ever be accessible to share God's love and ways to others.
Next time we will discover another way to show people error in their beliefs, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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