SUNDAY November 3, 2019
Urgency to Save the Lost
Jude a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James….
Jude 1:1
James and Jude were half-brothers of Jesus Christ. In the book of Matthew, Jesus spoke about all his brothers and sisters (Mark 6:3). It is interesting that the Bible records the names of His brothers––James, Joses, Jude, Simon–– but not His sisters. We do not know how many sisters Jesus had, but none of His siblings believed in him until after His death and resurrection.
Jesus’ half-brother Jude wrote the book of Jude. It only has one chapter, whereas the book of James has five chapters. Even though a short epistle, it has so much to say to us individually. When you examine what both of these brothers wrote, we find that they exhorted believers. James and Jude are books that also warn Christians. These two books deal with common problems found in the body of Jesus Christ, even today.
Jesus’ brother Jude had such an urgency to save the lost. He shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ boldly with people. He was unafraid to go right into the fire pit to save a person from hell. He was motivated by the love of Christ––it constrained him. He was not a person to be dissuaded. He was determined to see souls saved, even if it meant putting his life on the line so that lost sinners did not slide into hell. Jude encouraged other believers to follow his example and to do the same:
And on some having compassion, making a distinction, but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh (Jude 22-23).
As a Christian, ask the Lord to give you an urgency and a boldness to share the Gospel with the lost. Make a difference; lead them to Christ so that they do not perish.
If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay.
~C. H. Spurgeon~
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