“And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 1:23
So it is time to begin finishing this study in Jude which has been on the back burner for the last several weeks. You may have forgotten some of our discussion…I know I needed a refresher about the “secret-slipper-inner”; So here are the first twenty-four devotions from the book of Jude.
I said last time that with this verse we were going to get into the really tough part of Jude. Knowing about a problem is one thing. Knowing what to do about the problem is another. Applying that knowledge is perhaps the hardest thing of all because it is in the application that choices are made and roads are travelled down from which sometimes we can never return. Jude verse 23 is the turn off to one of those roads. Let’s look at it again.
“And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 1:23
Or:
οὓς δὲ ἐν φόβῳ σώζετε, ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς ἁρπάζοντες, μισοῦντες καὶ τὸν ἀπὸ τῆς σαρκὸς ἐσπιλωμένον χιτῶνα
Let’s look at a few words from this verse to further our understanding.
Jude tells us that with some people we are to have compassion and some people we are to save (σῴζω sōzō). What is the difference between having compassion on someone and saving someone?
Compassion involves mercy..forbearance…kindness given even when undeserved. Saving is rescuing. It involves tough choices…tough actions: Saving is Rahab hiding the Jewish spies on her roof at the risk of her own life; Saving is firemen charging into the World Trade Center on 9-11; Saving is Jesus on the cross.
Some compassion can be done from a distance. Sometimes it even involves separation but Jude wants us to make no mistake here the kind of compassion he expects us to show the secret-slipper-inner is not that kind of compassion. It is the active breathing love of Jesus flowing through us that won’t let go even if it has to for the purpose of restoration. Saving is actively involved…messy…willing to go the distance to see someone rescued even if it is only from themselves.
More tomorrow!
Reinventing the We'll 
This is really good, Pastor J. I so appreciate learning the difference between compassion and saving . . .and that secret slipper inners need saved. God bless you as you teach us from His Word!
Thanks Deb! This is a deep verse. We will be hanging around it for awhile. This idea of “saving” needs some sussing out I think!
This is so enlightening and makes my heart ache at the same time. It makes my heart sad that there are some that do not have the joy I have in the Lord, and I don’t know how to make some understand. Time is short and my heart knows the urgency of the matter at hand. Holy Spirit prepare their hearts to receive the truth. Thank you, Pastor J for sharing this word with us!
It is sad when we share and seems like the ones we are trying to reach do not even speak the same language. We truly must rely on a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in our sharing. Only that can make a difference. What a privilege to be able to aprtner with Him in the work of saving!
As always, a good explanation. Thanks.
Thank you!