REMEDY AGAINST THOSE WHO “CAUSE DIVISIONS”
“How that they told you them should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit” (Jude 18, 19). Another version says these are the ones who “make separations” (ASV). There are such men. Now can we protect ourselves against them?
We often focus on the nature and character of these types, as Jude did. However, we frequently fail to consider the antidote to the poison of those who “cause divisions” and “make separations.” In order to avoid being led by them, observe what Jude says we must do: “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 20, 21). Divisive men cannot succeed when devout men do these things!
First, build yourself up—increase your faith. How? By giving all diligence. “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Peter 1:5-8).
If you are developing these attributes, you will not fall prey to those who “cause divisions.” If you are not growing in them, you wilt be a victim of those who “make separations.”
Second, pray in the Spirit—pray according to the teaching of the Spirit in the word of God. Do you pray as a spoiled child who makes demands of his parents, or do you pray as a humble servant, beseeching the mercy of a loving Master?
If you are appealing to God’s grace, seeking his forgiveness and favor for yourself and for all men, you will not be enticed by those who “cause divisions.” If you are failing to pray in faith with thanksgiving, you may easily be led away by those who “make separations.”
Third, keep yourself in the love of
God. How? “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have
kept my Father’s commandments, and abide In his love” (John
Obedient servants maintain their focus on Christ and spiritual ideals. Carnal contentions are repugnant. They are not candidates for those who “cause divisions.” The disobedient flirt with the world. Their lusts allure them to men who “make separations.”
Fourth, earnestly look “for that blessed hope, and me glorious
appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” (Titus