Part of my YouVersion reading this week was in Jude. While experiencing 'technical difficulties' getting on Blogger, I posted a Status on Facebook and included the request that my readers check out Jude.  A pastor Commented, "Did you read chapter 2?"

He has a good sense of humor, don't you think?  What? You didn't get it? Oh, my. That means you need to follow this link to Biblegateway.com and read the select verses.

See how that easy that was? There are so many fascinating things about the Bible. Jude is so short, but is filled with information, isn't it?

Right away we find out what he thinks of himself. Then Jude tells us who he is writing to - followers of Jesus. Perhaps it's not of serious interest to the unsaved because the message is so focused on those who are:

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Salvation is common - nothing special for any group, available to whosoever, no one is better than another. We may be on different places in our walk with the Lord, but He loves each and every one of His children. Those are the people Jude addresses - including me. Unfortunately, the early church, just as churches today, have members who neither believe in, love nor respect our Lord and savior:

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

If you're not familiar with these bad examples, you need to look up and read why they are considered such. Yet, Jude saw such among the congregation. People as a whole haven't changed. They can, and we're encouraged to help them:

²¹ Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. ²² And of some have compassion, making a difference: ²³ And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

When we lived in Tulsa, attending Immanuel Baptist Church, there was a fellowship at our pastor's home. A chafing dish with an alcohol warmer was jostled, spilled alcohol and there was a small fire on it's tray. In the crowd of people, rather than try to move the pan off, pastor picked up the tray and headed for the kitchen sink.  Unfortunately, his hands were burned in the process and were bandaged for a while.  He told people who asked, "How?" "Remember Jude 23? I was pulling a soul out of the fire."

Thanks be to our God we don't do that physically - but our witness, our action may actually accomplish just that. Ready?