Interpretation of the Bible / Jude 1:20-21

Jude, the brother of James, wrote a letter of encouragement to first-century Christians who were threatened by false teachers who had infiltrated the church. Verses 20-21 of his letter are a call to believers to build their lives on faith in Jesus Christ and prayer in the Holy Spirit.

Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God. Without it, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). But faith is not something we can build ourselves. It is a gift from God that we must receive through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). And once we have received faith, we must build our lives on it.

Faith is not simply believing that God exists. It is trusting Him and His Word. It is believing that He is faithful and that He will keep His promises. It is confidence in what we hope for and assurance in what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). When we build our lives on this faith, we will not be shaken by the trials and temptations that come our way.

Prayer is another important aspect of our relationship with God. It is a way of communicating with Him, worshiping Him, asking Him for help, thanking Him, interceding for others, etc. But prayer is not just saying aloud or being silent. It is a spiritual act that must be done by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Praying in the Holy Spirit means that we allow Him to direct our prayers. This allows the Spirit to intercede for us with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26-27). It means being in harmony with God and His will. When we pray in the Spirit, our prayers are effective and powerful.