Last Wednesday evening we finished our study of the book of Jude, listening to the warnings that God gave through Jude to his people concerning the reality of false teachers. New Testament writers were not afraid to warn about the false teachers that would come and divide and tear apart the bride of Christ, and “to be forewarned is to be forearmed.” We need to realize that false teaching has and will continue to divide churches across the brotherhood, and we need to know that it can happen here.

To fight against this, each child of God must be armed for the battle. Each Christian must stand for the truth, and for right. Jude reminds Christians of these important points at the end of the letter—points that will help them in their fight against Satan.

CHRISTIANS MUST BUILD THEMSELVES UP IN THE MOST HOLY FAITH. This gives Christians the wisdom and power to be able to fight against evil and false doctrine wherever it is found. This means that we need to spend time in the Word of God on a day by day basis. There are a lot of false philosophies out there – we have to stand on truth. Are you being armed for the fight?

CHRISTIANS MUST PRAY. Prayer is vital to the relationship with God. It is from prayer that Jesus gained the strength he needed to face the cross, and to face all of the difficulties
that Satan threw against him. Brethren, if our Lord needed that, how much more do we need it as well!

CHRISTIANS MUST KEEP THEMSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD. Notice these two passages: 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. NKJV and John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. We keep ourselves in the love of God simply by obeying the Father’s commands.

CHRISTIANS LOOK FOR THE MERCY OF THE LORD. None of us keep the Lord’s commands perfectly, so we have to rely on his mercy to save us. We must be penitent for our sins; we must also not give up in despair, but trust the Lord to forgive us and save us as only he can.

Finally, CHRISTIANS MUST PUT THEIR FAITH IN GOD – THE GOD WHO IS ABLE. Able to do what?

Rom 16:25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began.
Eph 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Jude 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy

If we keep our focus on God and what he can and will do for us, then we will be able to overcome.
To fight sin, to stand against falsehood, we need to be built up. Are you exercising the powers God has given you to stand in the midst of adversity and in battle?