Good morning! It’s Wednesday, December 14, 2022. We are well on our way to celebrating Christmas! (I am among those people who wished that the Christmas anticipation would begin sooner and last another month or two!) Today we hear from Jude, a lesser-known writer, with a poignant message for those who’ve received spiritual gifts (listed in 1 Cor. 12) … specifically the gift of tongues. Some argue about the gifts, some operate in them faithfully, while other recipients … let them lay stagnant. Which are you? Read on …
Today's Reading:
Hebrews 12,13; Jude
Scripture
“In the last time, there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts. These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” (Jude 1:16-21)
Observation
They will surround you when you least expect it. Like a pack of hyenas circling a doomed catch … these faultfinders will stalk your trail and test you constantly. Can we ever get free from them? Not really — they'll be as close as your family or church member. But how can we keep from stumbling? How can we protect our flame from their gusts of wind? Jude gives us the remedy. He says, "Build ourselves up in our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit."
Application
What kind of praying is that which is intended to build us up?
- 1 Cor. 14:4 says, “The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.”
- Rom. 8:26 says, “For we know not how to pray as we ought to, but the Holy Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings too deep for words.”
- John 7:38 says, “He who believes in me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water, But, this He spoke of His Spirit …”
This is a word for those with spiritual gifts. Jude does not try to debate the gifts; he simply encourages those who have been given a gift … to use it! Here, he speaks specifically about those given the gift of tongues. Although primarily an intercessory gift, Jude reminds us also of its powerful protection against the negatives of life. Although many have received the gift of a spiritual language, it lies stagnant because they either forget or are ignorant of its importance. Nevertheless, praying in the Holy Spirit will be a mighty deterrent against the negatives of life. Otherwise, we’ll wonder why we are blindsided so often by other people’s drama.
Prayer
Oh, to Him who is able to keep me from stumbling! One day we shall stand before Him victorious, and those who’ve mocked and grumbled will realize that while they were griping, we were praying! And because of that, while they were criticizing, we were dancing!
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