Jude.. this letter is addressed to "those who are called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ."  What a wonderful word of encouragement for those believers.. and for us.  We have been called.. invited to the table.. in the Kingdom of our God.. we are loved by our God who revealed Himself as our Heavenly Father, adopting us in to His family.. and we are "kept".. preserved - guarded, cared for.. held fast for Jesus.. "waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life" ( v21b)

Jude's letter warns about those who deceive.. those who have "crept in" to the church while living ungodly and disgraceful lives.  "Contend earnestly for the faith"..  is the rallying cry from this man who grew up with Jesus.. but who did not come to faith until he saw Him resurrected and glorified.  Jude learned first hand that Jesus Christ alone can save and can preserve a soul from the lies of satan, from sin, and from eternal death. 

Jude gives these examples as a warning... 

The Israelites who had been saved out of Egypt.. but destroyed in the wilderness for their unbelief.

The angels in heaven.. who "abandoned their proper abode".. and are in "eternal bonds"

"Sodom and Gomorrah" who "indulged in gross immorality" and were condemned forever. 

And those who were living within the church but living wicked lives.. "these men revile the things which they do not understand.. " 

All of these.. are under condemnation..  judgement came to them and will come to any who follow in their footsteps.  The ungodly will be convicted for their ungodliness.  The grumblers, the arrogant.. those who follow after their own lusts.. will be condemned.. 

So.. "keep yourselves in the love of God.. have mercy on the doubting.. save others, snatching them out of the fire.. " (v21-23) We do not ignore them , but building up ourselves in faith.. praying in the Holy Spirit, and keeping ourselves in the love of God.. we have mercy.. "with fear" lest we become polluted with the unholiness of those we try to minister to..

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our  Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever. amen." 

Father in heaven.. keep us in Your Almighty Hand.. Amen!