Jude 2 EARNEST DESIRE When God's people are facing serious matters, which threaten the work of God and the assemblies of God's people, there are some things of which we are in urgent need. In view of the apostasy taught by false teachers at the beginning of the church age, Jude knew what was needed and where it came from. These three words: mercy, peace and love, tell of the choicest blessings God has for His people in times of testing. Mercy from God is the first need. Then peace from the Holy Spirit and love from Christ are there to meet our need. When they are multiplied, that indicates there is a bountiful supply of each which comes from an Infinite God who has an unlimited supply.
The world promotes pleasure, fame and wealth as what people need to find satisfaction. Even advertising is such that people are kept in a state of dissatisfaction. However, anxiety, care and remorse are right behind each of these and leave us wanting. None of these meets our need nor do they provide what the soul of man desires and requires. Man may say, "I forgive you," and we hope the mercy that has been expressed is real and lasting. Men give flattering, empty words, and say, "Peace, peace, when there is no peace." Philosophy and religion profess to give peace, but they do not calm the conscience nor rid it from guilt. They cannot take away sin nor the fear of the consequences of sin. They cannot reconcile the soul to God.
The Lord's peace which he gave to His own disciples meets all the desires of the soul and silences the alarms of a guilty conscience. The Lord's peace is steadfast in the inevitable changes of life that are happening all around us, and it firmly remains in the valley of the shadow of death. The love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts is because we love Him who first loved us.
"Mercy unto you" is first in order because we needed pardon from God for our sins, and He alone can give this. That imparted mercy has provided acceptance with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We are "accepted in the Beloved." Mercy needs peace, and truth needs righteousness. These needs have met together in the Person of our Lord when He died for us. Now mercy can be multiplied to us, and through us to others. "Be ye therefore merciful as your Father is merciful."
"Peace with God" is a state (Shalom) in which we are found forever. The Holy Spirit has brought this about through the Gospel of peace being preached. Because of the peace our Lord bequeathed upon us, we not only have peace with God, but can have the peace of God in our hearts to guide us as an umpire in a contest controls those who are involved. We can consequently have peace with other people and also be at peace with ourselves. when this is multiplied our conscience is at peace; we live with freedom from the guilt of the past. "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" is real to us. In view of the inevitability of death if our Lord does not come before it, we can say as another person wrote.... "In peace let me resign my breath, And Thy salvation see; My sins deserved eternal death, But Jesus died for me."
For love to be multiplied, we have to appreciate the love we have been shown by divine Persons. The love of the Father in giving the Son; the love of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me; and the love of the Spirit who is in us makes it possible for our love to be giving and heartfelt even though it will be costly. "We love Him because He first loved us." "We know we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren." Our love for the people of the world, not the world itself, is demonstrated when we are willing "to give what we cannot keep, to gain what we cannot lose."
The multiplying principle can be applied to our response to the great commission we have received; to the word of God in our own hearts; to the Gospel we proclaim and to our own intellect if we are teachable. It makes us available for the Master's use; worshipful in our response to Him personally; joyful in our own souls; sacrificial in our giving and faithful in our conduct as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The principle of multiplication is more easily applied to others Then it is to our own personal lives and through us to sisters and brothers. We need mercy first of all, because from God we were at a great distance. Sin had separated us from Him, and our conscience did convict us.
Mercy from above was shown and then we did implore That God would hear our plaintive cry, and from His mercy's store Allow our sincere repentance to be acceptable in His sight - And faith in Christ then opened blind eyes, so we could see His light.
Peace seemed so very illusive; it was like it was nowhere to be found. But through God's Spirit and His word, we were led to hallowed ground Where we were made consciously aware of peace made through His cross. Now peace has been given by our Lord; our peace with God can ne'er be lost.
Love finds its source in God Himself, but is now shed in our hearts The fact of love divine imparted, is understood more now than at the start. Love's effect is seen in gratitude that increases toward my Lord. Love for others deepens too as I look deeper into His word.
When these are multiplied in life, new visas do emerge. And consciously mercy, peace and love create an inner urge To press ahead and rise above the obstacles in the way. These precious divine gifts from God produce the desire to obey.
"Father, I have experienced these wondrous gifts from Thee over and over and over again. It is my desire that these attributes of the divine nature given to me, be seen through Thy servant. Perhaps then others will "taste and see that the Lord is good." In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."