And have mercy on those who doubt…
Jude 1:22

The Apostle Jude begins his short letter with a call to “earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” He goes on to describe false teachers who had already appeared, who were leading people away from the true teachings of the Christian faith. He warns people against their false teachings, many of which are repeated today.

His call to earnestly contend for the faith would eventually lead to the writing of the “Creeds” that we still use today, which are simple, brief statements of what the Bible teaches, and all true Christians believe.

Then, toward the end of this short letter, he adds this instruction, that while contending for the faith we should “have mercy on those who doubt.”

There are some people who simply have sincere intellectual doubts about God, not necessarily because of the natural sinful rebellion of our hearts but because they struggle to understand how one God can be three persons at the same time, or how Jesus can be both God and man at the same time, or how His perfect, righteous life can be credited to my account by faith so that I can be redeemed and forgiven.

Sometimes our own intelligence gets in the way, because we want God to make logical sense. But God feels no obligation to ask our permission or to explain Himself to us; He simply tells us how it is and expects us to take Him at His Word.

Have mercy on those who struggle to understand the mysteries of God. Be lovingly patient with them, even as you contend for the faith against mockers and deceivers.

Lord, I thank you that You understand us, when we struggle to understand You. I pray for my friends who struggle with genuine intellectual doubts. Open our hearts with spiritual understanding where our intellect fails, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles