Why Living a Moral Life is Important for People Who Follow Jesus
I love the way Jude began his letter:
This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James.
Jude 1:1
I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.
The brother of James and half-brother of Jesus who went from big-time doubter to the life-changing truth that he had grown up with with the Son of God.
He wrote that…
God loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ!
Whatever you are going through, whatever is weighing you down, whatever is hurting your heart or making you anxious . . . God loves you and He keeps you safe in His Son, Jesus.
But then, once Jude has assured his readers of God’s great love, he jumps right into the reason for his letter.
I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives.
Jude 1:3b–4a
Followers of Jesus have come to expect attacks on the church from unbelievers, but Jude warns us that there were then and now attacks from people and teachers within the church.
Anyone who says that God allows immoral behavior as Jude states:
They have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jude 1:4b
And the LAB Notes add the following:
Even today, some Christians minimize the sinfulness of sin, believing that how they live has little to do with their faith. But what a person truly believes will show up in how he or she acts.
True faith shows itself through humble and deep respect for the Lord and a longing desire to live according to God’s will as He reveals it in His Word. It honors God by living a moral life that represents His love.
God has given us His love letter because He knows that trusting and obeying His command to live a moral life of love will bless and keep us safe. He has given us one another to, as Jude states:
You, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.
Jude 1:20–21
Those of us who love the Lord much stay connected to God’s Word and to one another so we can stand strong on and for His truth. And we must be prepared to speak Scriptural truths with mercy, grace, and love.
A Prayer to Trust God’s Love and Live a Moral Life of Faith
Father, Thank you for loving us so much that You promise to keep us safe in Jesus’ care. Thank you for sending Him to suffer my punishment and making it possible for me to have a restored relationship with you.
Your Word says You hate sin. You are righteous. Everything You do is right and good and sin cannot exist in Your perfect presence. But You are gracious and merciful. Those who trust in Jesus can be forgiven and set free from sin. I thank and praise You!
Since the early church, there have always been people who said that because of grace you look the other way and allow Your children to live immoral lives. That is a lie from the enemy. You want, You command, Your children to trust and obey Your will because You know 1. it will make their lives better and 2. it witnesses to those who don’t know and love You. You told Your children to, “Be holy, because I am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2) And Jesus commanded His followers to, “Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) Trusting and obeying Your will keeps me from living an immoral life. Please help us. Please help me. I want to trust Your Love and obey Your command to love with all I am every day of my life. Please give me everything I need to live a moral life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
It’s true, false teaching about the lie that living a moral life isn’t important is around but we don’t need to be afraid or hopeless because God is greater. His truth has been shared for thousands of years and He promises that if we remain faithful to His truth we will experience the lasting joy of living in His presence eternally.
Hold these words of Paul close to your heart:
Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:29b–30
On today’s note write:
With God’s help, I will trust His love and live a moral life of faith.
May God bless you today encouraging you with His Word and His love.
Hi, Deb! I’ve so missed reading your blog, but what a great time we had with our grandchildren! Wish I could have those days back all over again, but the memories will live on. Yes, our actions should always reflect our beliefs; one cannot be a Christian and be immoral.
Blessings!
Hi Martha! I’m so glad you had a lovely time with your family. Our holiday was fun, too! I did miss you! I look forward to your comments each day . . . glad you’re back. Thanks, as always, for joining the conversation! God bless you, my friend!