Jude takes the gloves off

The more I read the less I understand. Let's push on to the end.

The last thing Jude says about these men is that they are "grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage."

So when I read this I see a picture of myself. I can't tell you how many times I've sat around complaining about one thing or another. That's why I always get sucked into politics--there's always something to criticize. And I think sometimes that I look actively for ways to talk about how great I am. I feel like David confronted by Nathan--"You are the man!"

And I think that's part of the point--Jude wants to say, don't give up the fight. There is in this world a persistent conflict between the City of God and the City of Man. between the church and the world. Between the kingdom and the earth. We are engaged, we are emissaries, we are the lampstand. So don't give up. Seek God, enter the fire again to refine yourself further. You aren't there yet.

And then he closes with encouragement--there will be evil men, you will face scoffers and men will try to divide you. But build yourselves up in holy faith and pray. Watch out for each other--Be merciful to those in Doubt, snatch others from the fire...

I don't know