But you, beloved, must remember the words previously spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, for they said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts.” It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions. But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on some who are wavering; save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies. Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 17-25, NRSVue)
I always have to stop and take a step back at the verses that say there will be those who are devoid of the Spirit and will cause division. Because this could be me. I know I cause division. I stand for the inclusion of all because I believe the Scripture tells us that God created everyone as they are, and that is not a mistake; so to say some are excluded because of who they are is not what we are called to be or do, and that causes division.
So am I the one devoid of the Spirit and causing issues that God did not intend, or are those who see the black and white of the Scripture devoid of the Spirit and causing divisions that God did not intend?
I will err on the side of grace.
