pJude. Read it? It’s short and sweet - we reckon you should read it. Down at the bottom of the only chapter (vv. 22-23), Jude gives us a sliding scale of the way we should approach others, including those who doubt and those who need ‘snatching … from the fire’ (v. 23 NIV).br /
If it reminds you of the street-preacher types, you might not be a million miles off. Whether or not that kind of stuff always seems appropriate, the kind of outreach that requires a quick, urging approach shouldn’t be cast away for its track record of Christian-cringe. Imagine ‘snatching’ someone from a literal fire. No second guessing or skirting round the edges. Quite a direct approach, then. What about when you see someone flirting with spiritual/mental danger? Perhaps our response shouldn’t be one of waiting around.br /
Now, we aren’t commissioning each of you to find your nearest street corner and don the ‘end is nigh’ sign. Nah. But, do pray for a chance to speak into people’s lives. Sometimes, Jesus speaks so clearly that there’s no need for opening gags, three-point sermons, or even a coffee meet. And those are the moments that can really put the brakes on someone who’s putting themselves in danger right now and/or in eternity. Don’t believe us? Have a semi-skim of Mark 5:1-35. Recognise those stories? Compare Jesus’ response to the demon-possessed man, and the sick woman. The woman needed more space and gentleness, whereas the guy wasn’t going to listen to anything except a real in-the-moment truth. Tons of discernment is key. Only prayer will get us there./p
pWhat now?br /
Read Jude. We aren’t letting it go… even if you’ve read it already, pay a return visit./p