Focus on Forever to Tolerate Today // Jude 1:22

We are in crazy times, aren’t we? Goodness, it’s dizzying, deceiving, and discouraging. But let me assure you of this: none of it catches God off guard. One of the key points in Jude (it’s only one chapter, so read it in full by clicking here) is how there are people not of the Spirit seeking to divide. Jude’s advice is to “keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life” (Jude 1:21). Then, as we see in today’s verse, we are to extend the same kind of mercy we await to those who are struggling right now with what to believe.

There is no mystery that the news cycle moves so quickly. Much of it is to keep us confused and agitated, fostering the divisions. Don’t let it. Don’t get aggravated with people who see things differently than you. Always remember people can be hot or cold at the same time in the same room. Focus on the BIG things like is real; sin is bad; Jesus died to save us, was resurrected, and lives still; the Holy Spirit helps us know what to do; and we are called to help others like God helps us. All of this is to reassure us that focusing on forever will help us tolerate today.

I want to close with what is known as the Doxology from Jude 1:24-25: “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen” (NIV).

To Jesus, indeed!