“17 But you, dear friends, remember what was predicted by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 they told you, In the end time there will be scoffers walking according to their own ungodly desires. 19 These people create divisions and are unbelievers, not having the Spirit.

20 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. 22 Have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”
Jude 1:17-23
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Jude, the brother of James and of our Master, Jesus, spends the bulk of his brief letter warning the recipients about heresies, conflicts and struggles. It is a very pointed message with warnings and reminders of hellfire and eternal damnation. It points the mind and heart toward the condition and destination of those who have chosen their own path in life and even includes an indictment against the Angels who have stepped away from God.

There are indeed many things to be cautious of in life, different influences to evaluate and false teachings to contend with, but even in all that Jude issues a reminder of how we are to treat the fallen and wayward. Mercy is the key ingredient in the mixture. They have made enough trouble for themselves with their false doctrine and shoddy morals, and Jude encourages us to have mercy on them and to ‘snatch them from the fire’ when we have the opportunity. Heresy is no small thing to play around with, and spending time with people who have concocted their own truth can be dangerous for the believer, being encouraged, not to deeper devotion, but to compromise. God can strengthen us to confront heresy, but we must let Him lead the effort, and not rely on our own strength or savvy words to get us through.

So, mercy is extended to heretics, truth to those who live in lies. A difficult task, no doubt, but a task that echoes God’s heart for the wayward, and His desire to see the wicked redeemed. He will move in His own ways, but we must also be available to GoLove those He would restore, and that is to be done firmly in mercy. We cannot compromise the truth, but we also cannot afford to compromise the grace shown to us as we extend it to others. We keep truth, found in the Scriptures, as our guide in our daily personal lives, and in the gathering of the Church. We find our strength and refuge there, being comforted by the Spirit as we go show mercy to the wayward.