Not Your Average Love Letter

*Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.  For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear.
Shepherds feeding themselves.
Waterless clouds, swept along by winds.
Fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted.
Wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame.
Wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.

These are grumblers.
Malcontents.
Following their own sinful desires.
They are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
And have mercy on those who doubt.
Save others by snatching them out of the fire.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,  to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.

Amen.

- Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, the brother of Jesus.
*selected verse taken from the letter of Jude, ESV