I came across this in my Bible reading today:
But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. – Jude 17-23
Jude, the brother of Jesus, has warned in his letter of the sure judgment to come on the world: that to disobey God means destruction, eternal separation from God, a destruction like Egypt witnessed, and Sodom and Gomorrah. To trust in the Lord is the only safety from the sure wrath of God. But here Jude offers comfort from the prophesies that have come before. Do not be surprised that people would scoff at the name of Jesus, that they would reject God in thought, word, and and deed. And indeed, he says, in that mix are those that cause divisions amongst the body. Unity is such a key as to how we see ourselves in the body of Christ, as we are, of course, one body. We are, as Ephesians 4 contends, of one faith, one baptism, with one Father, and one Savior, Jesus Christ. We do not look at other faithful Christians and scoff at them if they different secondary beliefs. Instead, this body builds itself up through encouragement and prayer by the power of the Holy Spirit. Even, he says, have mercy on those who doubt, and passionately save those in our midst from deadly sin. And also, have mercy upon people who sin, not loving the sin – hate even the garment that is stained! But as all are made in the image of God, compassionately show them Jesus, urging people to repent of their sin and turn to faith in Jesus our Lord.