Scoffers Are To Be Expected

Reflections for this date are based on readings in Jude 1

A Christian may become discouraged because of people who scoff at their faith in Christ. It becomes increasingly taboo to mention the name of Jesus in society. To mention God in many settings is not contested too much since this is a rather generic topic. But to mention Jesus is over the top for many. What is the Christian to do in such an environment?

The writer of Jude addressed this with those to whom he wrote, saying that they should not be surprised by scoffers for the apostles of Christ had forewarned that scoffers would appear, saying, "In the end time there will be scoffers walking according to their own ungodly desires." (Jude 1:18) As the saying goes, "To be forewarned is to be forearmed." And how were they to be forearmed? By "building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life." (Jude 1:20-21)

Jude did not give any offensive advise but rather defensive advise aimed at keeping themselves safe. Our natural instinct is to go on the offensive, trying to shut down such people. But by doing so we adapt their tactics and potentially turn more people from the faith than they are able to accomplish through their scoffing. Jesus said His followers would be known by their love. Love serves as a magnet to others, but hateful and angry actions turn people away and do not appropriately represent Christ. Jesus cautioned His disciples from such efforts to get rid of scoffers through the parable of the weeds.

In this parable, an enemy (Satan) secretly sowed weeds (doubt) in people's wheat fields (Christians). Then when their wheat grew the weeds grew up among the wheat. The workers wanted to go in and pull up the weeds, but the owner of the field cautioned them not to do this since it would also pull up wheat along with the weeds. Instead, he said, they should wait until the harvest and gather the weeds first and destroy them and then gather the wheat which would be stored.

This parable is a good picture of what Jude was addressing concerning scoffers. They are Satan's agents to sow "weeds" among the "wheat." In other words, to plant seeds of doubt among the believers. But Jesus was discouraging efforts to combat these efforts because it would cause greater harm to the wheat than would the "weeds." Instead, He was saying to leave the weeds and their sowers to Him. In the end He would destroy them and the wheat would be safely gathered unto Himself.