Contemplative Bible Reading

Jude 1:22-23 (New English Translation)

22 And have mercy on those who waver; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; have mercy on others, coupled with a fear of God, hating even the clothes stained by the flesh

Jude is writing to dear friends in Christ. There are sinful people all around these dear friends. Sin creeps into the group regularly, so Jude encourages the friends on how to act.

Show mercy; snatch others out of the fires of sin. Sin is so detestable that Jude describes it as staining the clothes worn by the person who commits sin.

Stained clothes? Yes. And clothes are replaceable; souls are not. Take away the stained clothes and burn them. Save the soul from the burning fires of punishment.

That is what Jesus did for us. Let us remind ourselves daily of the gift of grace. Let us show what mercy we can to one another and keep the stained clothes away.