BUILD YOURSELVES UP

by Kevin Rutherford

Jude had hoped to write to Christians about their common salvation, but another matter was more pressing (Jude 3). Jude saw a need to exhort the saints to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3). False teachers and troublemakers had entered the church. Their devisive and destructive ways had apparently caused no small trouble in the church (Jude 5-15). In describing the troublemakers Jude says “These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage (Jude 16).”

After Jude identifies the characteristics of the false brethren he tells the Christians they need to build themselves up (Jude 20). They are to build themselves up in the most holy faith. One cannot build himself up in the faith without continual study and application of the Holy Scriptures (Romans 10:17). In order for the Christians to remain strong despite this onslaught of error they were going to have to know the truth. The truth can build us up spiritually so that we can address any error that seeks to destroy God’s church.

Another essential component in building oneself up is that of prayer. As God communicates to us through His Holy Word, so we must communicate to Him through prayer. Our prayers to God will accomplish much good (James 5:16). When faced with error within the church we ought to pray for the wisdom, strength, and knowledge to defeat the error. In so doing we shall build ourselves up spiritually.

The church of Christ will always face troubles from within and without. We can take the easy route and give in, or we can build ourselves up. Let us build ourselves up with the Word of God and with prayer, and let us never fall to the Devil’s damnable divisions.