Jude

And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

One of our sons has Jude as a middle name,
A short, crazy book that ends with two of
The most glorious verses in the entire Bible.

But in the preceding twenty-three, there are
Angels in chains, the devil disputing over the body of Moses,
The errors of Cain, Balaam, Korah,

All emphasizing a warning against men
Who have crept into the church, who are
Described poetically in devastatingly vivid imagery.

But what arrested me as we read it today
Was the reminder that
The world is not black and white.

Some will require compassion. Offer it to them.
Some will require fear. Offer it to them.
The Holy Spirit will help with discerning who needs which.

God knows we’re not all alike. Don’t pretend that we are.