Beloved

Jude 20-21

"But you, Beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."

John is speaking to those he holds close to his heart warning them about certain ungodly people who had infiltrated the church. These people were "hidden reefs at their love feasts, as they feast along with you, shepherds feeding themselves, waterless clouds, swept along by winds, fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted, wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame, wandering stars for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever."  What a graphic description! John's concern is fraught with deep emotion. He wants the hearts of the beloved protected from such people as these.

It appears from the warning that these people are hard to identify and can't be expelled from the church. They are truly hidden reefs waiting to sink the spiritual ships of others. Because they blend in so well, they are masters of deception yet with a focused goal. They want to snag others and take them down their same path. By "building themselves up in their most holy faith, " the Beloved are taking the offensive by sharpening their faith and making it impervious to the subtle lies of the ungodly and  by praying in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the one who will expose the true nature of these ungodly ones. He will strengthen these people with power in their inner beings and keep them in the love of God as they wait for the Lord's return. As the Beloved come in full surrender seeking grace for their weaknesses, the Spirit will do a mighty work in their lives. John is encouraging them not to forget the essentials, the things you have known from the start. Keep yourselves strong and focused on Jesus.

Father,

Guide me in building my faith. Keep me diligent in prayer connecting with You through the Spirit. Open my eyes to the deceptive ploys of Satan wherever they may be found. 

In Jesus name,

Amen