In verse three Jude explains the driving force for his message and the burden laid upon him by the Holy Spirit to write as he does. It has been suggested Jude’s first intention was to follow the pattern of other apostles and write with ‘all diligence’ and care about the person and work of Jesus Christ. This would include the doctrines of salvation now referred to as the doctrines of God’s sovereign grace which Jude calls ‘the common salvation’. A common message These doctrines explain the work of God for the salvation of all His people. They are clearly taught by Paul, Peter, James and John in the pages of our New Testament. This is the apostolic foundation, the faith once delivered to those sanctified…

Before the apostle enters fully into the purpose and substance of his epistle he first identifies those to whom he is writing. These are the Lord’s elect people whom Jude characterises as sanctified, preserved, and called. Jude prays to God for the enlargement of their blessings and a deepening of their experience of grace. The apostle’s desire is that the Lord will multiply mercy, peace and love to His people. By embracing all God’s church in his salutation Jude also includes us in this prayer for grace. More than words We must never take the introductory comments of the apostles’ epistles as words spoken merely to fill space at the start of their message. These introductions and greetings are important and precious prayers which express…