Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, I. BY BUILDING UPON CHRIST. "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith." Christ is the foundation; and "other foundation can no man lay." Others may think lightly of that stone; but to you it is the "only name given under heaven." You must go on, building upon Christ. And thus the Holy Spirit tells you (Colossians 2:6, 7). All this is the work of "faith." Faith lays your soul upon Christ, and faith keeps it there. He terms our faith "most holy." It is so from its nature, and from its tendency. It has to do with a "holy" God. It has to mix in "holy" services. It has to prepare us for a "holy" heaven. II. BY PRAYING IN THE HOLY GHOST. What believer does not know his need of the Holy Spirit, that he may pray aright. How motionless were the wheels in Ezekiel's vision, till the Spirit entered into them! How lifeless were the bones in the valley of vision, till the breath from the four winds came upon them! And how dead and formal are our devotions, when we neglect to seek God's Spirit to animate our frame! III. BY EXPECTING MERCY THROUGH CHRIST. "Looking also for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." We all need "mercy," because we have all sinned. IV. THE EFFECTS OF TRUE SPIRITUAL RELIGION. "Kept in the love of God." And what is this? Why, this is that happiness at which we all should aim. Think how great a privilege it must be "to have the love of God shed abroad in your hearts by the Holy Ghost." How sweet to go to Him as your Father! to commune with Him as a friend, like Abraham! to see the Lord always before you, as did David! What, then, do each of you know of this security? Are all of you shut up in this tower of refuge? (C. Clayton, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,WEB: But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. |
    |