Compassion and Fear

January 8, 2022

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; “but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”

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, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.”

—Jude 1:20-25 

Thankfully, not everyone is as naturally critical and judgmental as I at times can be. People who lie and manipulate for their own ends, abusing the power or authority they’ve been given, can get under my skin. So, reading Jude 21 challenges me: “Keep yourselves in the love of God.”

Keeping myself in the love of God, making sure my conversation and thoughts are governed by love instead of disgust or anger, is not easy, but is crucial if I am to model my life after Christ. The love of God is necessary if I am to do what all Christian are called to do—bear witness by bearing the cross, doing all in our power to rescue people from eternal ruin. Verse 22 tells us that some are rescued through compassion—they respond to the kindness and mercy of God offered through his people. Others respond to the fear of punishment (verse 23). We must be able to distinguish between these two kinds of people if we are to be effective in our witness, but for both, we must keep ourselves in the love of God, not threatening, but warning people of the dangers of facing eternity apart from Christ.

A struggling preacher once asked an older and wiser why he was so successful in getting people to come to Christ. “I preach the same message of sin and salvation, of heaven’s joys and hell’s terrors,” he said. “But no one responds. When you preach the same message, people come to Christ. What is different?” 

The elder preacher pondered this question for a moment, then quietly said, “When you speak of hell’s torment, you speak as if you were glad for sinners to end up there. When I preach, it is with a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat, fearful that they might not choose heaven’s joys, pleading with them to turn before it’s too late.”

“Lord, I need your grace and strength to keep myself in love, so as to serve you and minister effectively, honoring you with the glory, majesty, dominion, and power you deserve. Put a check in my spirit when instead of love, I begin to speak with criticism, cynicism, and fleshly disgust with the sins of the world. May I have the heart of Christ, who let not the joys of heaven nor the terrors of hell keep him from seeking and saving all who would hear his call to come home.”