[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 25/Oct/2026]
I came across this bible verse the other day: “And have mercy on some who are doubting”.[1] Jude, who wrote this in his short letter in the New Testament, had no doubt about his half-brother Jesus being the Son of God and why he came. He had seen the death and coming back to life again of Jesus. After that he heard all that the risen Jesus taught about His death and resurrection bringing forgiveness for our sins, if we believe in Him as our Saviour, with a guaranteed new life forever.
The problem that we have is that we weren’t there at the same time that Jude was. We have to believe by having faith in Jesus as our Saviour without actually having seen and heard Him. That’s why it is possible for any believer at times to doubt about who He is or that we shall one day live with Him for certain.
I remember when we were staying with friends in Norfolk that they had what was for us an unusual home group. They are Baptists now, but at that time they belonged to the Salvation Army, who teach that you can lose your faith and your promise of eternal life as well. The members were there in our friends living room dressed in their uniforms and had military titles. One dear lady who had believed in and served Jesus for many years shared that she had recently momentarily doubted her faith. She was horrified to think that if she had died at that moment she would have gone to hell! I felt very sorry for her but I didn’t feel that I could take on those faithful Christians in the Salvation Army and try to assure them that Jesus would never allow them to be lost in this way.
As Jesus said in John 6:39,
“And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day”
John 10 v39 [NLT]
How true this is. You may remember a couple of years ago I wrote about a retired Minister friend who had lost his faith in his Saviour because of struggles in his life. We have recently heard that he has thankfully now regained his faith in Him.
No wonder that Jude encouraged us to help those who are doubting about their faith. And he ended his short letter with praise because Jesus will keep us from falling until we are with Him in His heavenly presence.
To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and for evermore. Amen.
Jude 1 v24-25 [NIVUK]
Once we truly believe in Jesus as our Saviour we have eternal life with Him for sure from that moment on. We must hold on to our faith in our Saviour Jesus, but if we do “let go” by doubting Him at times for whatever reason, remember that He will never let go of us.
Resources:
[1] Jude 1:22
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Last Sunday’s reflection: When My Heart Changed Before My Circumstances Did by Becca Day
Contributed by Michael Goble; © Michael Goble