Tuesday, October 13, 2009

...snatch others from the fire



The book of Jude is only one chapter but for some reason latey I've been spending a lot of time studying in it. There is one set of verses that have held my attention the most...


A call to persevere

 
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 19 These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

 
20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.


22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Wow!

Verse 23 puts it so plain by saying to literally "snatch others from the fire."

Have you ever thought about that?

That sharing the gospel and taking the time to invest in someone could eventually lead to a literal fire rescue?

One of our good friends and fellow leader in the youth ministry just graduated from the fire academy in Louisville. (Click on fire academy to see the story done by the Courier Journal). Congratulations Ryan!!! I just can't help but think of a fire fighter when I look at this verse.

Maybe it's time we pay attention to the urgency that this verse is written with and suit up to snatch those around us from the fire.

23 snatch others from the fire and save them.

Literally!!

1 comment:

  1. I love the verse before too that says be merciful to those who doubt... wow!!!

    YIPEEE for Ryan... our own personal fire snatcher!

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