Build Yourself Up in the Faith

Jude describes three ways to keep ourselves in God’s love: build each other up, pray in the Holy Spirit, and wait for the Lord’s mercy. Having described what false teachers do, he tells them, “but you”, do the opposite. False teachers tear down our faith, but you build yourselves up in the faith. False teachers don’t have the Spirit, but you pray in the Spirit. False teachers can only expect judgment when Christ returns, but you wait for his mercy.

Building yourself up in the faith echoes verse 3 when Jude said he “felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith.” Jude’s counsel is like Paul’s to Timothy when Timothy faced false teaching in Ephesus. Paul emphasized Bible study, telling Timothy to be a worker “who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Both Timothy and Jude’s readers needed to continue in the true faith, and the Scriptures were their essential resource to build themselves up.

In Jude’s instruction, the word “yourselves” is plural. A communal, corporate, and committed study of the Word of God will bind these believers together. This contrasts with the false teacher’s divisive refusal to engage in the study of God’s Word in the assembly (Jude 19). Together we strengthen our faith and gain insights into the implications of the gospel for our daily living that enable us to grow spiritually.

Several years ago, the Lord called me to start an interactive discipleship program for the men in our church. Even though they were busy professional men and business executives, they responded enthusiastically. We bonded as we mutually learned from God’s Word, shared our prayer concerns and prayed together, and shared refreshments. It provided real encouragement and spiritual growth for us all. Eventually they paired up and established small Bible study groups in their respective neighbourhoods. To this day, these are growing. Through Bible study, praying together, and community we build up ourselves and one another.

Reflect

Are you part of a community that studies, prays, and grows together? If you are, thank God for your community and pray by name for the continued growth of each member. If not, ask God to show you a group that you could join, or if you should initiate a group yourself.