Different strokes for different folks

And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. – Jude 1v22-23

So, now that we know about these false teachers what do we do about them? They are here, we have been warned about them and reminded not to act like them, so what do we do?

I think we first need to understand our motivation. All through New Testament our job has never been to ‘sort them out.’ That is always up to God. Our task has always been to strive to win others and turn them around. Our job is to ‘pluck them out of the fires’ and show them the truth.

That being the truth, Jude tells us that we can’t treat all false teachers the same. We have to make a distinction or a difference if you will, in them so we can know how to help them.

On some we must show compassion. We must love them and treat them tenderly trying to show them that God’s path is the right path. By showing them His love and compassion we may draw some of them to him.

With others we need to see the sin and the flesh that defiles them, reaching down into the flames of hell to grab them out. This is a fearful thing to do, because it means, as a friend once said, that we need to get our hands dirty. This is dangerous, obviously. You can’t stick your hand in the fire without the chance of being burnt. This is the sense here. Be aware, hate the sin that has defiled them, but we have to go after them.

Some require love and patience and compassion. Others require boldness and immediate action. Some require drawing them with love. Others require walking into the fire and pulling them out.

We need God’s wisdom in know how to make the distinction.