A Four-Fold Defense Against Falling

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. - Jude 1:20-21

    Jude shows how believers can overcome the devices of Satan and avoid being influenced by false teachers.

    1. “Build yourselves up on your most holy faith.” We know that Christ Jesus is the object of faith, but the word of God is the foundation of faith. By the word faith is born; by the word faith is assured, comforted, and tried; and by the word faith grows and is strengthened. “Desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby.” Our Lord answered every temptation of Satan with the scriptures; you and I must have that same weapon.

    2. “Pray in the Holy Ghost.” Our Lord said (Luke 18:1), “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (lose heart and give up). And those who pray do not quit nor lose heart because the Lord hears their cry and sustains them and strengthens them. “Ye have not because ye ask not.” “Ask and you shall receive.” “Brethren,” Paul said, “pray for us;” and pray about all things!

    3. “Keep yourselves in the love of God.” “All the law is fulfilled in one word, love” (Gal. 5:14). We are saved because God loves us in Christ. “He loved us and gave his Son a propitiation.” Set this before you, keep it in view, and draw strength from it. Secondly, the evidence that a work of grace is done in us is that we love him; and our walk, obedience, and service are motivated by love for God. Thirdly, our relationship with others will be determined by this principle; “If he so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”

    4. “Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” His mercies past; he chose us, redeemed and called us. His mercies present; he intercedes, comforts, and provides all our needs. His mercies future; “He will keep you from falling and present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” This is the believer's sure defense against the wiles of Satan and the errors of false religion.