Be merciful to those who doubt; Jude 1:22
Jude was the younger brother of Jesus Christ. He did not believe Jesus was the Messiah until after the crucifixion and resurrection. He referred to himself as Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, brother of James. James was another brother of Jesus who became a believer after the resurrection.
Jude was an old man when he wrote his letter. There were those that had begun to pervert the Gospel of salvation with clever misinterpretations, making confusion for new believers. As if life wasn’t difficult enough for Christians in the first century A.D., with persecution, loss of home, family and income, now there were wolves in lambs clothing waiting to pounce upon vulnerable people seeking to do right. Jude was compelled to speak up.
The exploitation of people under the guise of Christianity has been a problem since the beginning of the church. Mature disciples are charged to be wise, patient, loving and kind. Show mercy to those who are struggling. Leading is a form of loving, judging and criticizing is not.
Love,
Gretchen