Today’s devotion comes from Jude 1:17-23.
“But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” Jude 1:17-23.
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“I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:29-32.
We have two sentences of similar exhortations which are in bold italic font. The first sentence comes from today’s Scripture, and the other sentence comes from the above-quoted Acts 20:29-32. When we meditate on these exhortations, despite the danger of such ungodly ones who are even called “savage wolves”, we come to realize that the exhortations are focused on God’s grace.
In the first sentence, regarding “building yourselves up on your most holy faith”, we have come to understand and believe that we have received our “most holy faith” from God as a gift of God. “…To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:1-3. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.
Also, in the first sentence, “keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life”, we have also come to understand and believe that God’s love to us is based on God’s grace and not based on anything we have done to earn it. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:8-10.
In the other sentence, “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace …”, we most directly see Scripture described as as “the word of His grace”.
In summary, Reformed Doctrine is known as “the doctrines of grace”. These “doctrines of grace” are not reserved for only the easy, sunny days that Christians enjoy, but “the doctrines of grace” are also the weapons on which Christian rely during the most difficult and darkest times of a Christian’s life. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. … And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-11 and 17.
“Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:31-32.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 